Cumbrian nursing home not looking after its old folk properly – inspectors
A Cumbrian nursing home under investigation by social services has been told by independent inspectors that it is not looking after its elderly residents properly.
The Care Quality Commission turned up unannounced at Branthwaite Nursing Home, near Workington, which specialises in dementia care, after receiving a number of reports of a ‘safeguarding issue’.
Inspectors discovered plans which determine how the residents are cared for were not good enough.
They also found out that staff had not been given all the right training.
The fact that they have to take unpaid leave to learn how to do their job has been blamed for poor attendance on courses.
The CQC went on to raise concerns about the low numbers of staff on duty at times, saying it might compromise safety.
Another criticism was that an allegation of an assault, which the home said was unfounded, had not been passed on to the relevant authorities.
Inspectors said a number of residents told them they were happy or satisfied living in the home and that staff treated them well.
They also noted that the standard of the dementia unit building itself was of a high standard.
No instances of inappropriate behaviour by staff were observed during the visit.
The home, which is owned by the Care Executive Group, has maintained its two star ‘good rating’.
The ranking only goes up or down after a ‘key’ inspection.
Cumbria County Council, the police and NHS Cumbria were already investigating Branthwaite when the CQC arrived in January. The Cumbrian authorities took action following allegations of mistreatment and neglect.
A county council spokesman said: “The multi-agency safeguarding investigation is continuing and the county council’s suspension of new admissions to Branthwaite Nursing Home remains in place.
“The suspension will remain until areas where we consider the home to be in breach of contract are remedied.
“Executive Care Group is working with the county council and sharing with us their plans for addressing issues identified.
“Social work teams have visited existing residents at the Home, and progress by Executive Care is being closely monitored.”
A spokesman for Care Executive said: “The safety and wellbeing of our residents is paramount and we have taken the matters raised at the random inspection very seriously and addressed these in a prompt and productive manner.
“We do note and welcome the positive comments made by the inspector.
“The home has also received well over 100 messages of support and compliments from relatives and residents following recent press coverage and this is much appreciated by the manager and staff.”
