The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told Matt Matharu that he must make urgent improvements at Four Winds Residential Home, Highnam Hall and Parkview Residential Home, all located in Hartlepool, Cleveland.
During unannounced inspections at all three homes in January and February 2015, inspectors found that Mr Matharu was failing to provide care which was safe, effective, responsive or well led.
Under CQC’s new programme of inspections, all adult social care services are being given a rating to help people choose care. All three homes have been rated as Inadequate.
The reports from each inspection have been published on the CQC website this week www.cqc.org.uk/provider/1-101695960.
At Parkview Residential Home on Station Lane, inspectors found that people were not being cared for in a clean, hygienic environment and that parts of the premises were unsafe due to poor maintenance. Inspectors also raised concerns that the home did not have suitable arrangements in place for obtaining the consent of people to the care and treatment provided for them.
At Highnam Hall on Park Avenue, inspectors found that care was not planned and delivered in a way that ensured people's needs were fully met. Fire precautions in the home were not adequate to demonstrate that people would be protected in the event of an emergency and the main emergency exit was kept locked with a bolt. In addition, some areas of the home were visibly dirty and had an unpleasant odour.
At Four Winds Residential Home on Elwick Road, inspectors found that people’s individual needs had not been robustly assessed, care plans contained contradictory information and care records were not updated to reflect people’s changing needs. Not all staff had received an annual appraisal and not all staff had received refresher training in safeguarding, mental capacity, moving and handling and medicines.
Concerns regarding the safe administration of medicines and the lack of effective quality assurance processes were identified at all three homes.
As a result of these findings CQC is currently considering the need for further regulatory action against Matt Matharu and will report in due course on any action they do decide to take.
In the meantime CQC is working closely with Hartlepool Borough Council and Hartlepool and Stockton on Tees Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure that residents are not at any immediate risk of harm.
Debbie Westhead, Deputy Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care in the North, said:
“When our inspectors visited all three homes they were concerned at what they found. Every care provider has a duty to ensure their services are safe, effective, caring, well led, and responsive to people’s needs and these inspections highlighted a number of shortfalls in the service being provided. This is unacceptable and improvements must be made as a priority.
“Although our legal processes do not allow us to go in to further detail at this time, we are considering taking action with regard to the provider following the findings of our inspections. All CQC’s action is subject to appeal.”
Ends
For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Manager Kirstin Hannaford on 0191 233 3629. Alternatively, the CQC press office can be contacted on 0207 448 9401 or out of hours on 07789 876508.
Find out more
Read reports from our checks on the standards at Matt Matharu.