CQC acts to protect the safety and welfare of people at Eastgate Manor care home, Stocksfield

2 May 2013

In two recently published reports, CQC inspectors identify a number of concerns found at Eastgate Manor, which provides accommodation and nursing care for up to 42 older people with general and mental health needs.

Inspectors found that the provider, Bramble Lodge Care Home Limited, which is part of the Executive Care Group, was failing to meet five national standards of quality and safety, covering care and welfare of people who use services, cleanliness and infection control, supporting workers, record keeping and medicines management. By law, providers of care services must ensure that they are meeting all standards.

Bramble Lodge Care Home Limited has been told that they must provide an action plan setting out how they will comply with the legal standards.

The reports which have been published on the CQC website give full details of the concerns which were found during inspections in February and March 2013.

Inspectors found that the planning and delivery of care did not always meet people’s individual needs or ensure their welfare or safety. Care plans were not always followed and adequate steps were not being taken to monitor people’s fluid intakes.

Residents living in the 'memory care' dementia unit of the home were not being cared for in a clean, hygienic environment and effective systems were not in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection on this unit.

Improvements had been made to increase staffing levels since CQC's previous visit in October 2012 and additional permanent employees were now in post. However, inspectors were concerned that staff training needs were still not being fully met. On inspection in February CQC found that some staff had not received formal supervisions and an appraisal system had yet to be implemented.

Resident’s care records did not always contain accurate or appropriate information and were not being adequately updated to reflect people’s changing needs.

A review of residents’ medication records revealed that medicines were not always being administered correctly.There were discrepancies between the amount of medication recorded as having been administered and the amounts remaining in stock which indicated that some residents were not receiving their required dose of medication.

In addition, inspectors were also concerned that there was a lack of up to date guidance for staff when administering medicines prescribed to be given “when required”.

Despite assurances from the provider in October 2012 that improvements would be made, at these latest inspections CQC found that standards were still falling short of what people should be able to expect.

Malcolm Bower-Brown, CQC’s director in the North said:

“The failings at Eastgate Manor are a real concern and immediate improvements need to be made.

“CQC has been working closely with the local authority to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people receiving care at Eastgate Manor and we have told the provider where they must improve.

“We continue the monitor the situation extremely carefully and will not hesitate to take further regulatory action should this prove necessary.”

Any regulatory decision that CQC takes is open to challenge by a registered person through a variety of internal and external appeal processes.

ENDS

For further information please contact the CQC Regional Communications Team, David Fryer 07901 514 220 or Kirstin Hannaford 0191 233 3629.

The CQC press office can be contacted on 0207 448 9401 or out of hours on 07917 232 143.

Notes to editors

You can read the full report at the Eastgate Manor page.