Probe raises concerns over private care home for elderly (From Echo)

Probe raises concerns over private care home for elderly

4:00pm Thursday 3rd January 2013 in Local News By Jon Austin

Probe raises concerns over private care home for elderly

A PRIVATE care home has been ordered to take urgent action after an unannounced inspection raised concerns about its care of the elderly.

The Care Quality Commission looked into conditions at BUPA-run Ghyllgrove nursing home in Ghyllgrove, Basildon, after concerns were raised.

Among its findings the watchdog discovered staff taking three weeks to refer a malnourished pensioner who was loosing weight to a dietician and made no proper records of dealing with bed sores.

Inspectors also found:
*Some care records had no clear instructions to staff on how to care for residents who suffered from pressure ulcers.
*Problems with repairs including cardbord pushed into a light switch to keep it on and showers that were too cool and had rusty handrails.
*Discrepancies in records of whether some patients had been given medication or not.
*Staff pushing patients in wheelchairs with no footplates, breaching safety rules.
*And care records and assessments that were not being updated to reflect the changing needs of residents while care plans were inaccurate and lacked sufficient detail.

The commission has issued a formal warning to the home, which caters for 169 residents, saying it must make improvements or face further action.

Andrea Gordon, CQC deputy director of operations for the central region, said: "The law says these are the standards that everyone should be able to expect. Providers have a duty to ensure they are compliant.

“This warning sends a clear message that Ghyll Grove Residential and Nursing Home needs to address this issue or face further consequences.

“Our inspectors will return in the near future and if we find that the required progress is not made we won’t hesitate to use our legal powers to protect the people who use this service."

The warning follows unannounced visits by inspectors in November. They were following up a previous inspection which raised concerns about staffing levels.

Rhona Mcleod, regional director of Bupa Care Homes, said: “We recognise there were some issues in relation to our record keeping.

"We are taking action to rectify the points raised, in particular through a programme of retraining for all staff at the home.

"Our residents are our top priority and we are confident the plans we have put in place will address CQC’s concerns. We will be working closely with local authorities, the regulator, residents and their families over the coming months.”