The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has warned Highgrove Care Home, West Road, Mexborough that they must take immediate action to improve standards of care.
The warning follows an unannounced visit by inspectors to the care home in May 2014 as part of CQCs scheduled inspection programme. Inspectors found that the home was not providing care which was safe, effective, caring, responsive or well led.
A full report has been published on the CQC website this week.
When they visited the home, inspectors found that the provider, Crown Care III LLP, was failing to meet all five national standards that were assessed. Concerns included:
- People who use the service were not always protected from the risk of abuse. This was because the provider had not taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening.
- People were not protected against the risks associated with medicines. Inspectors looked at this outcome because, when they had previously inspected the home in January 2014, medicines were not being managed appropriately. Despite assurances from the provider that improvements would be made, the appropriate arrangements were still not in place for the safe handling or administering of medications at the CQC’s latest visit.
- Care was delivered in a way that did not always ensure people's safety or welfare. Inspectors checked 12 people's care records, observed care taking place in the home and spoke with staff. They found that the provider had failed to take proper steps to ensure that each person was protected against the risks of receiving care or treatment that is inappropriate or unsafe.
- Inspectors were concerned that people were not being treated with dignity and respect and this was particularly evident during meal times.
- There were not always enough staff on duty to meet people's needs. Inspectors observed people using the service in one communal area without any staff present for a period of 20 minutes. During this time people were sitting passively, without any stimulation.
As a result of the inspection, CQC has issued three formal warnings to the provider requiring improvements in relation to care and welfare of people who use services, safeguarding of people who use services from abuse and management of medicines.
Debbie Westhead, CQC’s Deputy Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care in the North said:
“We’ve identified a number of serious issues at Highgrove Care Home which the provider needs to put right immediately.
“People are entitled to services which are safe, effective, caring, well led, and responsive to their needs. It is unacceptable that the provider is failing to meet the basic care needs of people living at the home.
“We have told Crown Care III LLP that they must take action to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people who live there and we will return again in due course to check that the service has made all the changes we require.
“If we find that this home is not making enough progress we will consider using our legal powers further to protect the people who live there.”
Ends
For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Manager David Fryer on 07901 514220. The CQC press office can be contacted on 0207 448 9401 or out of hours on 07917 232 143.
The full report can be found on the CQC website here.
The Care Quality Commission has issued warnings to Crown Care III LLP in relation to the following three regulations under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010:
- Regulation 9 - Care and welfare of people who use services
- Regulation 13 - Management of medicines
- Regulation 11 - Safeguarding of people who use services from abuse
Find out more
Read reports from our checks on the standards at Highgrove Care Home.