The provider of the Wirral based care home, Mother Redcaps Care Home, has been ordered to pay £90,000 in fines and costs relating to breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
At Wirral Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Mother Redcaps Care Home Limited, was found guilty on two charges: failing to make arrangements for the recording, handling, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines, and failing to ensure the appointment of a registered manager in compliance with the condition on the certificate of registration.
Mother Redcaps Care Home Limited, which manages Mother Redcaps Care Home, Lincoln Drive, Wallasey, Wirral had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, brought by the Care Quality Commission.
The care home is currently registered to accommodate up to 51 people, including many people with dementia.
On inspection in, October 2014, CQC found the home was failing to treat people with respect, meeting people’s needs, keeping people safe and effectively managing the home. However, the home was inspected in January 2015 and was found to be compliant with an earlier warning.
The charges relate to evidence CQC found by CQC inspectors during unannounced inspections between April 2011 and April 2013.
The court heard that the home had failed to heed the advice and guidance from a CQC Pharmacy Inspector on numerous occasions and following the serving of two Warning Notices
Following a hearing which lasted nine days, the company was found guilty and fined £20,000 on each charge. They have also been ordered to pay the Commission's costs of over £50,000.
Debbie Westhead, Deputy Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care in the North said:
"People are entitled to services which are safe, effective, compassionate and high quality. If a care home fails to provide services which meet these standards – they are in breach of the law.
“I welcome the court’s verdict in sending out a clear message that we will not tolerate care which falls below these standards.
“We have continued to monitor the home along with our partners from Wirral Borough Council and we now have some confidence in the new Registered Manager. We hope these improvements can be sustained.
“We will continue to monitor this care home and will return unannounced in the near future to check that the required improvements have been made. We will not hesitate to take further action if that is required to protect the interests of the people who live here.”
Ends
For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Manager David Fryer on 0790 151 4220. Alternatively, the CQC press office can be contacted on 0207 448 9401 or out of hours on 07917 232 143
Find out more
Read reports from our checks on the standards at Mother Red Caps Home.