CQC warns Manor Cottage Retirement Hotel that it is failing to protect the safety and welfare of people

11 October 2011

Regulator demands immediate improvement by Devon care home

The Care Quality Commission has issued a formal warning to Mr Kenneth Peek that he must make urgent improvements to standards of care or face further action.

The two warning notices follow an unannounced visit by inspectors to the Manor Cottage Retirement Hotel at Manor Crescent, Paignton in September. The home is registered to provide care for up to 18 people.

Inspectors found that the registered provider, Mr Peek, and the registered manager were failing to provide and maintain a clean and appropriate environment which prevents and controls the spread of infections. Facilities and equipment at the home were dirty and unhygienic. The provider, manager and staff did not have or adhere to policies which help to prevent and control infections at the home.

Inspectors said that people were not being supported in accordance with professional healthcare advice. Care plans did not clearly state how to meet people’s needs, contained conflicting guidance, and had not been updated when people’s needs had changed. Staff had not read the care plans, which meant that people were receiving inconsistent care and treatment, and their individual needs were not being met.

Ian Biggs, regional director of CQC in the South West said: "The law says that these are the standards that everyone should be able to expect. Providers have a duty to ensure they are compliant.

This warning sends a clear and public message that Manor Cottage needs to address this issue as a matter of urgency or face serious consequences.

Our inspectors will return in the near future and if we find that the provider is not making the required progress we won’t hesitate to use our legal powers to protect the people who live there."

Ends

For further information please contact the CQC press office on 0207 448 9401 or out of hours on 07917 232 143.

Notes to editors

CQC has issued warning notices to Kenneth Peek requiring him to take action to meet:

• Regulation 9 Health and Social Care Act (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2009, Care and Welfare of people who use services
• Regulation 12 Health and Social Care Act (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2009, Cleanliness and infection control

If the provider fails to make the required improvements, CQC has a range of enforcement powers which include restricting the services that a provider can offer 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. Any regulatory decision that CQC takes is open to challenge by a registered person through a variety of internal and external appeal processes.