CQC acts to protect the safety and welfare of people at Parklands care home, County Durham

22 May 2013

In a report published today, CQC inspectors identified a number of concerns at Parklands care home which provides accommodation and personal care for up to 34 older people, some of whom have dementia.

Inspectors found that the provider, Mr T Chopra, was failing to meet four national standards of quality and safety, covering care and welfare of people who use services, respect and involvement, safety and suitability of premises and requirements relating to workers. By law, providers of care services must ensure that they are meeting all standards.

CQC inspectors have now received an action plan from the provider detailing how standards will improve and will carry out another inspection to check on progress.

The report which has been published on the CQC website today gives full details of the concerns which were found during an inspection in April 2013.

Inspectors reviewed a sample of care records and spent time observing staff at work. As a result they found care was not always being delivered in line with individual care plans and that people’s individual needs were not always being met.

Inspectors observed a mealtime at the home and saw that some people needing support to eat and drink were not provided with this support in a way that respected their dignity and independence.

Although people living at Parklands were consulted regarding their care, their views and preferences were not always taken into account in the way that their care was being planned and delivered.

On the day of inspection building work was in progress to construct a bridge between the older part of the building and the new extension. Inspectors were concerned that people living at the home were at risk of harm as the works area was fully accessible and there were no warning signs in the area.

Recruitment records for staff employed at the home were incomplete and inspectors were concerned that the provider had not followed robust recruitment procedures. For example, the provider had not always sought detailed information about past education, suitable references or Criminal Records Bureau certification.

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

“The failings at Parklands are a real concern and we have told the provider where immediate improvements need to be made.

“We continue to monitor the situation carefully and will not hesitate to take further regulatory action should this prove necessary to ensure the people using the service receive the service they are entitled to expect"

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 Parklands page.