Lincolnshire care home has failed to protect people’s safety and welfare says regulator

27 January 2012

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told the owners of Ralphlands Court in Lincolnshire that they must make improvements to comply with the essential standards of quality and safety.

Inspectors have found that the home in Ralph Lane, Frampton West, has failed to protect the safety and welfare of its residents.

A report published by CQC says that the provider was not meeting all of the six essential standards inspectors looked at and in three of these areas major concerns were identified.

Providers of care services have a legal responsibility to make sure they are meeting all essential standards of quality and safety.

The visit to Ralphlands Court, which provides residential and nursing care, took place in December 2011 as part of CQC’s routine programme of inspections.

When inspectors visited the home they found the care provided was falling short of standards people should be able to expect and improvements were needed.

Areas of major concern included:

Safeguarding people who use services from abuse

Inspectors found that staff did not know what the home’s whistleblowing policy was and several staff had not had any safeguarding training. Staff did not know the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2008 and how to assess if residents had the capacity to make their own decisions. No risk assessments were in place for the wrought iron gates at the top of the stairs used to prevents falls.

Supporting staff

Several staff told inspectors that they felt they needed further training in many areas. The legislation records at the home were outdated and did not refer to the current Health and Social Care Act 2008. Management had not held supervision sessions or appraisals with staff but these would be introduced soon. Some staff were involved in making decisions and giving care staff instructions about areas of work they were not responsible for or had experience in.

Assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision

Staff informed CQC that a quality assurance system had not been put into place so she was unable to show inspectors how the quality of service people receive is monitored. Concerns of residents and staff were not acted upon and no notifications about events at the home had been highlighted to the CQC.

During their visit, inspectors also identified moderate concerns in relation to care and welfare of people who use services and requirements relating to workers. They had minor concerns about respecting and involving people who use services.

Andrea Gordon, Deputy Director of Operations (Central Region), said: “The failings at Ralphlands Court are a real concern and improvements need to be made.

 “CQC has been working closely with Lincolnshire County Council to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the residents and we have told the provider where they need to improve.

“Where improvements are not made we have a range of enforcement powers that can be used, including prosecution, closure or restriction of services. “

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 Helen Gildersleeve, regional communications manager, on 0191 233 3379. The CQC press office is also available on 0207 448 9401 or out of hours on 07917 232 143.

Notes to editors