As a result of serious concerns found by inspectors last week, the Care Quality Commission has taken urgent enforcement action to protect people living in Horncastle House, at Sharpthorne, East Grinstead, West Sussex.
CQC inspectors visited the care home on Thursday 13 September after further concerns were raised about the standards of care, and the risk to people living there. The home had been rated Inadequate following two previous inspections, in March and August.
During the latest inspection, CQC found significant and ongoing issues of people being exposed to the risk of harm. People’s care needs were not being met and there was a lack of permanent staffing and permanent clinical leadership who were aware of people’s needs.
Deborah Ivanova, Deputy Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, South said:
“As a result of this latest inspection, we had no choice but to use our urgent enforcement powers to protect the people who were still living at Horncastle House.
“Over a period of time we have called for significant improvements, but to date the action of the provider has been ineffective. We have no confidence that that the provider will take appropriate action – and we can’t leave people at risk of harm.
“We appreciate that this has been a difficult time for everyone involved. Our first priority is always the welfare of the people who are living in care services and we will continue to work closely with West Sussex County Council, who are supporting people who were in Horncastle House and their families to find new services that meet their needs.”
As a result of this latest inspection, we had no choice but to use our urgent enforcement powers to protect the people who were still living at Horncastle House
Deborah Ivanova, Deputy Chief Inspector, Adult Social Care