Alarming Problems Surface In Care Homes

Overflowing bins, unhygienic kitchens and out-of-date medical records were just some of the discoveries made at care homes in Mole Valley last year. Inspections carried out by the Commission for Social Care uncovered alarming problems at residential homes for the elderly and disabled members of the community.

Information obtained by The Advertiser reveals that in the most serious cases inspectors found a range of privacy and dignity issues, inaccurate and out-of date paperwork and concerns about the safety of residents. Our investigation centred on the last report carried out between January and December 2006 by the Commission and published on its website.

At Broome Park Nursing Home in Station Road, Betchworth, inspectors threatened to seek legal advice because managers had failed to follow up on recommendations from an earlier report to update medical procedures. The report from April 24 last year also said that procedures around the control of hazardous substances were not being followed and that the clinical waste bins outside the main building were overflowing and appeared not to have been emptied for some time.

At Downsvale Nursing Home in Pixham Lane, Dorking, inspectors found evidence of a lack of privacy for residents. The report from September 18 said: “The home’s practice of using communal toiletries not enabling service-users to make choices and the use of disposable bibs when some of the service-users are eating their meals in the hall or corridor of the home raises dignity issues.” The home had also received 12 complaints in a year but the inspector could see no evidence they had been investigated.

CSCI inspections also raised concerns about the personal safety of residents at some of the homes in the district. An inspection carried out on July 1 at Garth House in Tower Hill Road, Dorking, said: “There was a failure to adequately observe a service-user who had been the subject of recent serious missing persons incident to ensure her safety.”

And a report for Lime Grove in St Martin’s Close, East Horsley, said: “Fire doors must not be propped open, products hazardous to health must be stored in a locked provision, out of date food must be discarded and freezers must be working to the correct temperature.” The report on July 1 also recorded that the amount of money held for or on behalf of residents did not accurately match the record held.

A report for Milner House in Ermyn Way, Leatherhead, on June 22 asked staff to replace 32 lights which were not working, including some on the stairs and in the kitchen. And at the Old Vicarage in Cobham inspectors raised concerns about the environment residents were living in.

The report from September 28 said: “Staff must ensure that residents are not left in a cold environment and in need of personal care. A leak found in the sitting room ceiling must also be repaired.”

Another home criticised by the inspectors was Rose Hill Nursing Home, Rose Hill, Dorking. On August 15 the inspectors observed that some of the commodes were of poor quality and that the dining room furniture did not ensure residents could eat their meals in comfort. There were also asbestos warnings in the garage and rust on the lid of one of the freezers.

But there were homes that were praised by the Commission including The Red House in Ashtead, which was given a very positive inspection in November; Ashtead House in Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead, where residents said “the home is friendly, I am getting help to be a little independent.”

And The Beeches in Fortyfoot Road, Leatherhead, where inspectors found that residents “were encouraged to maintain control over their daily life as much as possible.”