The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated Bethrey House in Wolverhampton, inadequate and placed the home into special measures to protect people, following an inspection in July.
Bethrey House, run by Orange Flag Care Ltd, is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 19 people. The service supports older people some of whom are living with dementia and mental health issues, as well as younger adults.
This inspection was carried out to follow up on concerns raised with CQC from a whistleblower. This is the service’s first inspection since being taken over by Orange Flag Care Ltd.
Following this inspection, the overall rating for the home, as well as the areas of safe and well-led, have been rated inadequate. Effective, caring and responsive have been rated requires improvement. Under the previous owner, the service was rated as good overall, as well as for being safe, caring, effective and responsive. Well-led was rated requires improvement.
The service has been placed in special measures which means it will be kept under close review by CQC to keep people safe and it will be monitored to check sufficient improvements have been made. CQC is also taking further regulatory action, which Bethrey House can appeal, and CQC will report on when legally able to do so.
Andy Brand, CQC deputy director of operations in the midlands, said:
“When we inspected Bethrey House, it was disappointing to see a home that wasn’t well managed which was reflected in the home’s culture and resulted in people being placed at risk of harm and not receiving proper care.
“Leaders and staff weren’t always aware when incidents had occurred that placed people at harm. For example, when people had unexplained bruises or had fallen, these incidents weren’t referred, monitored or recorded to ensure learning from them.
“When people needed help with moving or mobility, we saw staff weren’t handling them appropriately under their arms which could place them at risk of injury. We also saw a person sat in a chair with their feet upright who couldn’t independently move from this position and their walking aid wasn’t nearby.
“People living at Bethrey House told us they weren’t always treated respectfully or as individuals. One person told us staff often didn’t ask their preferences and just ordered them to do things which made them feel like a child.
“It was positive, however, that managers discussed the importance of staff wellbeing and staff said they felt supported by leaders, and it was a good place to work.
“We have told leaders where we expect to see rapid, and widespread improvements and will continue to monitor the home closely to keep people safe during this time. We will return to check on their progress and won’t hesitate to use our regulatory powers further if people aren’t receiving the care they have a right to expect.”
Inspectors found:
- There weren’t always care plans, risk assessments or guidance in place for staff to follow for people with specific conditions and needs
- The principles of The Mental Capacity Act 2005 were not always followed
- People’s dignity and independence weren’t always fully considered
- Medicines weren’t stored safely to ensure people were protected from the risk of harm
- Staff didn’t always have the skills, knowledge and training to safely support people and weren’t always safely recruited
- There was no system in place to update, change or add care plans when people’s needs changed
- Staff raised concerns with the environment and the lack of space people had to access, including the lounge, lack of dining area and garden.
However:
- People had access to GP’s and felt the home was responsive when they were unwell
- Both staff and leaders felt there were enough staff available to meet people’s needs.