CQC demands Mount Denys takes action to improve services

10 October 2011

Hastings care home failing to meet 13 essential standards.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told Mount Denys care home in Hastings that it must take swift action to improve services at the home.

Mount Denys is a purpose built home provided by East Sussex County Council for the care of older people with dementia type illness. The home can accommodate up to 31 people.

Following visits in July 2011, CQC inspectors found that the care provided fell short of the essential standards of quality and safety people should be able to expect from a care home.

In August the CQC took enforcement action against Mount Denys. Since then the local authority has been taking urgent steps to move towards compliance with all essential standards.

The CQC report, which is published today, highlights ten areas of major concern found during the July inspection, including

Respecting and involving people

The dignity of people in the home was not routinely supported. Bedrooms lacked personalisation, and some people lacked adequate bedding. Information was not provided in accessible formats to inform people living in the home's choices and decisions. There was limited evidence that people were being actively consulted about their care and support.

Consent to care

Inspectors looked at six care plans, none of which had consents to care signed, although there was a page at the beginning of the plan of care specifically for this purpose. There was no evidence of family involvement in the care plans viewed and there was a lack of mental capacity assessments to support judgements about consent. There was a lack of evidence that consent is sought from people using the service for care and treatment decisions.

Care and welfare

There was an overall lack of stimulation for people living in the home on a day to day basis. Activities provided did not ensure that all people on every day have some degree of stimulation tailored to their specific needs. Care plans did not provide enough information to inform staff about how to work with and support people effectively and were not supported by or informed by appropriate risk assessments.

Safeguarding people

There was an established culture of physical and verbal violence in the home

between residents and by residents on staff, which put both residents and staff at risk of harm. There was an absence of multi-disciplinary input or agreed strategies for managing behaviour. There were inadequate safeguards in place to protect people from harm.

CQC Regional Director for the South East, Roxy Boyce, said: “The care at Mount Denys Care Home has fallen short of the standards people have a right to expect. Nevertheless, I welcome the fact that the provider has been urgently implementing improvements in services at the home and that the local authority has been co-operative with the inspection team.

We will continue to scrutinise this service very closely to ensure these improvements are sustained.”

Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the Care Quality Commission has a number of enforcement powers that enable it to act swiftly when services are failing people. These include issuing warning notices, restricting the services that a provider can offer or the way it is provided; or, in the most serious cases, suspending or cancelling a service. CQC can also issue financial penalty notices and cautions or prosecute the provider for failing to meet essential standards.

Ends

For further information please contact the CQC press office on 0207 448 9239 or out of hours on 07917 232 143.

Notes to editors