Care home staff seen coughing in food prep area
PA MediaFood hygiene practices at a nursing home have been judged inadequate, with out-of-date food found in the fridge and staff coughing in food preparation areas.
Silver Mews in Redcar was given a food hygiene rating of one out of five, meaning major improvements are needed, following a visit by officers from Redcar and Cleveland Council.
Inspectors found out-of-date corned beef, baked beans and grated cheese in the home's kitchen, which they said could be unsafe and lead to food poisoning.
The home, which supports up to 41 people, some of whom are living with dementia, was approached for comment.
An inspection report said staff at the Deal Road premises were unaware of national guidance stating opened food must be used within two days, and were applying a three-day rule instead.
It added some kitchen surfaces were not being adequately disinfected, while dirty equipment, such as a can opener, was being used.
GoogleA member of staff was seen "coughing continuously" and "discharging mucus", posing a "significant" contamination risk in the food preparation area, the report said.
It added: "A persistent cough, especially one accompanied by other symptoms, means [staff] must not work with food."
Staff were also washing their hands in a nearby bathroom, instead of having hand washing facilities in the kitchen, and inspectors said appropriate checks were not being carried out at the start and end of each shift.
The report said: "Had they done [the checks] they would have identified the inability to be able to wash hands effectively in the food preparation area, and all out-of-date food would have been discarded."
It added: "The level of food hygiene awareness amongst staff was inadequate."
Last month a separate report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) examining care standards at Silver Mews found several areas of concern.
These included a dirty bedroom floor, medicines not always being stored and administered safely, with residents said to require greater support with personal hygiene needs, such as showering and teeth brushing.
The CQC said while the caring aspect was "good", overall improvement was required.
