Shocking report pans Essex care home standards

A CARE home could be on the brink of closing because of a damning report by inspectors. Michaelstowe Hall, in Ramsey, has lost its Essex County Council funding because of strong concerns over the way its residents are being cared for.

The privately-run home, which looks after as many as 84 people from across north Essex, was given the lowest possible rating after a recent inspection by the NHS’s Care Quality Commission.

Inspectors made a two-day unannounced inspection visit in October and their report reveals shocking discoveries, including the case of one resident left alone, lying in filthy sheets, for six hours.

The report said: “One resident who was being nursed in bed, and was confused and unable to call for assistance, was observed with faeces on their hands and lying in faecal-stained sheets.

“The resident had a fungating cyst that was being treated.

“The cyst had a strong offensive odour, indicating that the wound was infected. The room door was closed and there were flies in the room and around the resident.”

Poor standards of personal and health care are also highlighted, as is evidence of neglect. The report speaks of residents unable to fend for themselves being found isolated in their rooms, with their doors closed and no call bell. It complains of a lack of choice, or stimulation for residents, who are physically disabled, elderly, and in some cases, suffering from dementia.

The report concedes residents enjoy their food, but highlights “inadequate monitoring” of nutritional intake. It also speaks of a “smell of urine” in some areas and poor infection control standards.

Margaret Jordan, the home’s managing director, said she challenged the report’s findings and promised a more recent one, yet to be published, would show a more favourable picture.

She added: “Our position is, if the Care Quality Commission felt these residents were at risk, it would have taken enforcement action against the home in October. The report is out of date.”

Mrs Jordan said changes demanded in the report had since been made.

She added: “The residents are very unhappy and the staff are quite unhappy about the action being taken. The home is asking people to assess the home on its own merits. The residents have stated they don’t want to move.”

It is unclear if the home, which opened in 1995, can continue running without council funding.

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “We have taken the decision to terminate its contract, because of concerns over the standard of care and quality of service being provided to residents.

“We are working to provide new care arrangements for Essex residents who were placed in the home..”