Care home rated inadequate, say inspectors
Getty ImagesA residential home where inspectors said residents "weren't receiving the standard of care they deserve" has been placed into special measures.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said its team found evidence at Winchley Home which breached three legal regulations.
Staff at the home, at West Winch, near King's Lynn, Norfolk, had not received the necessary training to support residents' needs, but did treat people with kindness.
It provides nursing care for elderly people, including those living with dementia, and was rated inadequate. Owners Gemini Care Ltd have been approached for comment.
The three legal regulations the home was found by the CQC to be breaching related to the need for consent, safe care and treatment, and governance.
Staff did not always record important information about people; one resident had lived at the home for a month without a care plan; and medicines were not always managed safely, said inspectors.
Hazel Roberts, CQC deputy director of adult social care in the East of England, said: "People weren't always kept safe because the service hadn't put the right systems in place, leading to significant and widespread shortfalls."
The home looks after residents with complex needs, but staff "didn't always have the information they needed to support people safely," she said.
"For example, care plans for people at risk of choking didn't accurately reflect their dietary needs, which placed them at risk of harm," added Roberts.
Action plan
The home was rated good at its last inspection in 2018 - and this inspection took place unannounced on 4 and 11 February.
Roberts said inspectors found "people weren't always treated with dignity".
"We found evidence of people being woken and given personal care in the early hours of the morning, with no record that this reflected their wishes," she said.
Another resident had toothache for several days, but while staff gave pain relief, they did not seek dental or medical help.
Relatives told inspectors their family members had little to do, and inspectors highlighted a risk of isolation, but relatives also provided positive feedback about individual staff members.
"We found that people weren't receiving the standard of care they deserved," concluded Roberts.
The CQC said the home had developed an action plan to address the improvements required.
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