Home failed to provide personal care for 12 hours

A care home where inspectors said a resident did not receive critical personal care for 12 hours has been rated inadequate and placed in special measures.

Chandos Lodge in Slough, Berkshire, which was visited by inspectors between mid-February and mid-March, was downgraded by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after its previous visit in 2022.

Inspectors said they found two bedroom doors had locks fitted on the outside rather than the inside so people could be locked in. The home has since fixed that issue.

A spokesperson for the home said it took the CQC's concerns "very seriously and has already taken significant action to address a number of the issues identified."

Inspectors said they were told by a relative that they themselves changed their loved one's "wet and soiled pads" rather than leaving the job to staff.

Other problems included a free-standing electric heater, which was "not fixed to the wall, had wires trailing and placed people at risk of burns and injury."

Water temperatures were "consistently recorded" as too hot, the CQC said, but staff were not always aware of safe water temperature limits.

The thermometer used to check water temperatures had not been calibrated, with no system in place to ensure its accuracy. That left people at risk of scalding, inspectors said.

The home did not make sure that it had "enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff" and managers did not make sure those working had "effective support, supervision and development", the inspectors added.

The care home's spokesperson added: "It is our view that, following the actions taken, the published report is not reflective of Chandos Lodge as it is today.

"We are committed to working with the CQC and other stakeholders including the local authority and our residents to continuously improve the service we provide and ensure that it remains open as an essential service for local residents."