CQC closes down Haringey care home

A care home in Haringey, north London, has closed after enforcement action by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Mrs Angelina Espino and Mr Jessie Espino had been registered to provide accommodation and nursing or personal care for up to three people at 36 Roseberry Gardens. In unannounced inspections in January and July 2011, inspectors found that the home was failing to meet 11 of the essential standards that people are legally entitled to expect. During the second visit, inspectors witnessed one of the providers loudly reprimanding a person living at the home for helping them with their inspection.

Inspectors were concerned that people were being left unattended by staff despite being funded for 24 hour care, and there were concerns over lack of safety precautions around potential fire risks, poor medicines management and poor standards of cleanliness.

Matthew Trainer, deputy director of operations (London) at the CQC said: “We have acted quickly to ensure the welfare of people living at 36 Roseberry Gardens. Taking action which could lead to the closure of a home is something that we never take lightly, but when we find care as poor as we did in this case we have no choice but to take action to protect the safety and welfare of people.

“It is never acceptable for a provider to raise their voice in an aggressive manner to vulnerable people in their care. We have worked closely with Haringey Social Services to ensure the safety and welfare of the people living at the home. Both have now moved to new accommodation which better meets their needs and we are told this has really improved their quality of life.

“This sends a strong public message that we will not hesitate to take tough action if a provider continually fails to meet the standards for care that everyone has the right to expect.”