Police probe Stamford Bridge care home abuse allegations
GoogleA care home is being investigated by police in relation to "serious" allegations of abuse.
The claims predominantly involve the movement of residents at Stamford Bridge Beaumont care home, near York.
Details of the investigation emerged from a Care Quality Commission report which identified "multiple failings", including finding two residents may not have been bathed for more than a year.
The home said it was assisting the authorities in their investigation.
Stamford Bridge Beaumont, which is run by Barchester Healthcare, provides care for up to 107 older people, some of whom have dementia.
CQC inspectors visited the home in Buttercrambe Road in August and September after it received claims from a whistle-blower of "several allegations of abuse that they and five of their colleagues had witnessed".
The report said an internal investigation into the claims had concluded "most of the allegations had related to moving people" and resulted in staff being retrained.
However, it said: "In fact these were serious allegations which are now being investigated by the police".
Special measures
Inspectors also uncovered areas of concern, including;
- Residents at risk of dehydration or malnutrition were not cared for appropriately
- Insufficient numbers of staff on duty to meet people's needs
- A lack of effective leadership
- One resident was overdue an injection for a lifelong condition
- At least two people had not received a bath or shower since October 2016
The report said that since the inspection the registered manager had left the service and the home had been placed into special measures.
In a joint statement, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Humberside Police said: "We are working alongside our partner agencies in relation to allegations surrounding safeguarding issues at the care home.
"Investigations are currently ongoing into these."
A spokeswoman for Barchester Healthcare said it took the CQC's findings "very seriously" and was taking steps to address the issues identified, including additional training for staff and efforts to recruit more staff.
She said: "The safety and wellbeing of our residents is our utmost priority and we are working with the relevant authorities to assist in their investigation."
