A privately-run care home has been ordered to hand over
responsibility for its residents to the local health and social
services after inspectors found they were at "serious and immediate
risk."
Active Care Partnership Ltd, a subsidiary of the Southern Cross
Healthcare Group Plc, was asked to relinquish control of health and
welfare at the Alton Centre care home in Knuston Spinney,
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.
The order was made following an inspection on 6 August that
found poor standards at the home. The Commission for Social Care
Inspection identified concerns about nutrition and hydration, care
of wounds and the management of medication and medical
conditions.
The CSCI advised Active Care Partnership Ltd of its concerns but
was not satisfied with their response. The commission obtained an
urgent court order from a magistrate on Thursday 7 August to cancel
the registration of the home.
Active Care Partnership Ltd made an application to the High
Court to try to overturn the urgent cancellation order. But at a
hearing yesterday the judge ordered the PCT and council to manage
the residents until the company's appeal to the Care Standards
Tribunal, which is due to begin at the start of September.
Northamptonshire Council and Primary Care Trust have sent in a
team of nurses and carers to work with and supervise staff in
caring for the home's 28 residents, who have physical disabilities
and need nursing care.
Norwyn Cole, CSCI’s regional director for the East, said: “We
are pleased that these temporary arrangements have been approved by
the judge to protect the welfare of the people living at The Alton
Centre. We have worked closely and in partnership with the council
and the primary care trust in the residents’ interests. We will of
course contest the company’s appeal to the Care Standards
Tribunal.”
Outside Left's view
here