Care home rated inadequate over safety and treatment

A care home in Melton Mowbray has been rated inadequate and placed in special measures.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found stained mattresses, rusty showers and unpleasant smells when they visited The Amwell, in Asfordby Road.

In a report published on Friday, the watchdog also said staff were unable to show residents were being kept hydrated and were not carrying out personal care often enough to ensure their good hygiene.

The home has apologised for the standard of care offered to its 88 residents at the time of the inspection, in December, and said it was taking action to address the issues raised.

The CQC said it had implemented special measures to protect residents and would closely monitor the home as it tries to improve.

The CQC said the home was rated inadequate for its safety, effectiveness, and leadership.

Inspectors said they found a "closed culture" among senior leaders who did not understand the challenges the home faces.

Residents and the family were uncomfortable about speaking out about problems, the CQC added.

The report said the lack of care led to family members complaining their relatives were left smelling "strongly unpleasant".

It also said there was a case where a resident fell ill during a medical emergency but staff had not sought medical attention.

The CQC added the home did not make sure that people's care and treatment was effective because they did not discuss their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.

Staff could not understand people's needs because their care plans had several contradictions, the CQC added.

Employees also spoke negatively about residents and families within their earshot.

Craig Howarth, CQC's deputy director of operations in the Midlands, said: "Leaders didn't make sure they employed enough staff with the right knowledge and skills.

"One relative told us staff leave residents in the lounge without supervision, leading to arguments and disagreements.

"Another relative told us they heard people regularly cry out for help from their rooms.

"This is unacceptable that people were being left in distress.

"The home managed medicines unsafely, putting people at risk of harm," Mr Howarth added.

"Some prescription items were out of date, and room and fridge temperatures exceeded the recommended range.

"Staff didn't update medicine charts, making it unclear if people received their medication putting their health at serious risk.

"We have told leaders where they urgently need to make rapid and widespread improvements and hope to see these plans deliver better experiences for people."

A spokesperson for the home said the health and wellbeing of residents was its "absolute priority" and that it took the CQC report extremely seriously.

"We would like to reassure our residents and their families that the findings of this inspection, which took place last year, are in no way reflective of the current quality of care being delivered at the home today," they said.

The home said a new leadership team was in place and there was an action plan to improve staff training.

"We sincerely apologise that at the time of the inspection we fell short of the high standards we set for ourselves," the spokesperson added.

"However, we look forward to welcoming the CQC back into our home and we are confident that they will reaffirm the positive steps that have been made."

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.