'Inadequate' care home placed in special measures

A care home rated as inadequate or requires improvement for 10 years has been placed in special measures.

Wainford House Residential Care Home in Beccles, Suffolk was visited by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) late last year and again rated overall as inadequate.

Inspectors found bedrooms and toilets were unclean, residents were not treated with kindness, empathy or compassion and the fire service placed prohibition notices on five bedrooms due to serious health and safety concerns.

Registered manager Ramesh Roopun said the home was in the process of challenging the assessment as it felt there were inaccuracies that did not reflect "the dedication and hard work" of staff.

According to the CQC report, an assessment of the home was carried out after it received concerns regarding the quality of care and the safety of the environment.

The report said the provider had "failed to respond adequately to serious concerns" it had raised and, where improvements were made, "they had failed to ensure they were embedded in practice and sustained".

Inspectors said the environment posed a risk to people's health and safety.

"Areas of the home including toilets, bedrooms and items of equipment used to support people were unclean or in a state which may cause injury," the report said.

Inspectors said feedback from residents and their relatives "varied widely", but one relative was so concerned about the quality of service they moved their family member elsewhere.

Another person told inspectors they had "no issues" and felt their relative's day-to-day care and needs were being met.

Other issues seen included an incident where a person in a wheelchair was moved without their consent, staff were seen not respecting people's privacy and dignity and staff did not always manage or assess the risk of infection.

Roopun said their focus had been to "foster a supportive and transformative environment" since starting as manager in October.

"I want to assure you that our commitment to improvement is unwavering," the manager said.

"We are working tirelessly to enhance the living experience for our residents and to prioritise their wellbeing.

"You should feel confident that the staff are passionate and dedicated to creating a nurturing environment.

"The visible changes you have observed during your visits are just the beginning, and I am here to make sure that our progress continues."

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