'Inadequate' care home placed in special measures

A Merseyside care home which left some of its residents without clothing or toiletries has been placed in special measures following an inspection.

Stonedale Lodge in Croxteth, Liverpool, was rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the regulator's lowest marking for inspections, in all three areas of quality of care, safety and leadership.

This most recent report, which followed previously poor inspections, found residents' medication, risk of infection, personal finances and valuables were not managed efficiently, while staff did not respond to their needs in a "timely manner".

Run by Advinia Care Homes Ltd, Stonedale Lodge, provides accommodation and nursing for up to 180 people.

In response, the company said the safety and wellbeing of its residents was their "highest priority" before adding their "dissapointment" that the CQC's report was based upon what it described as near five-month old findings.

"Families deserve current and reliable information when making decisions about care," a statement said.

"We again call on the CQC to conduct a timely reassessment, in the interests of fairness and transparency."

The report, based on inspections carried out last July and August, also found team leaders at the home had failed to arrange "meaningful activities" for residents and "good pratice" was often overlooked.

Stonedale Lodge has been rated inadequate three times since 2022, with the site working under special measures as recently as last year.

The care home will now be closely monitored by the CQC before a timeframe is set up for the home to implement updates and improvement in a timely manner.

If those measures are not taken, the CQC can take further action.

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