Nursing home faces legal action after CQC finds failings

A Bristol nursing home has suspended admissions and is facing legal action after inspectors found vulnerable residents were living in faeces-stained bedrooms and having their needs ignored, and staff were poorly trained and over-stretched.

Sunnymead Manor could face sanctions ranging from a formal warning to closure if it fails to improve, the Care Quality Commission said today, as it published the report of an inspection last month, which found widespread failings.

Specific issues included:-

• All bedrooms had offensive odours and floors and carpets that were stained, in several cases with urine and faeces.

• Most en suite bathrooms were dirty, cold and had offensive odours, with most of the toilets found in an unflushed state.

• Residents asked for help but were ignored or not responded to.

• Residents were left with food on their face and clothing.

• Medicines were not being stored properly or given at the right time.

• There were staff shortages and significant training gaps: 54% of staff needed update training on safeguarding while there were “serious concerns” regarding nurses’ lack of training in wound care and infection control.

The problems came to light after a new member of staff reported them to NHS Bristol, prompting the primary care trust to send in support to safeguard residents, with Bristol Council, before the CQC was called in.

As well as suspending admissions, Sunnymead is having to report on a weekly basis to the CQC on its progress and will face another inspection very soon. Bristol Council said it would also monitor the situation closely and only withdraw the extra support it has put in, with NHS Bristol, when it sees clear evidence of progress.

Though the home was rated as good in its previous inspection, in April 2009, and was deemed to be meeting essential standards under the new social care registration system introduced this year, it has a history of poor practice. Many of the same criticisms made today – residents’ needs being ignored by staff and inadequate administration of medicines – were made following an inspection in December 2008, which led to it being given a poor rating.

Following today’s report, CQC south west regional director Ian Biggs said: “The care at Sunnymead fell far short of the standards people have the right to expect. It is even more disturbing when you consider that many of the residents here are frail, vulnerable people who are the least able to complain about the poor and unhygienic environment, even though this is their permanent residence.”

Mimosa Healthcare, which runs Sunnymead Manor, said: “When incidents occur that compromise the high standards of care we deliver on a day to day basis, that is wholly unacceptable and we unreservedly apologise to all concerned. We will undertake all of the necessary training, investment and management that Sunnymead Manor requires to overcome the current issues, working with the CQC, Bristol Council and the NHS in Bristol.”

It has appointed a deputy manager and home manager, who are starting over the next month, to replace the existing interim manager, and senior management from Mimosa will be undertaking regular audits of the home. It said nursing staff were receiving close supervision from an experienced nurse manager and all staff were receiving core training in dementia.

What do you think?Join the debate on CareSpace

Keep up to date with the latest developments in social care. Sign up to our daily and weekly emails

Related articles

Poor services have had performance records wiped, admits CQC