Enforcement action taken against residential home

An independent health watchdog has taken enforcement action against a care home to “protect the health, safety and welfare” of its residents.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) yesterday published its report following unannounced inspections at Southview Residential Care Home in Plymouth.

Out of 11 checkpoints care homes are inspected on, Southview was only meeting two. And Plymouth city councillor Sue McDonald, Cabinet member for public health and adult social care, said it was “not acceptable”.

Health inspectors visited the home, owned by Ashley Residential Care Limited and based at Woodside, in Lipson, on January 21, February 13, February 19 and February 28.

The report said: “We carried out this visit after concerns were identified and further concerns raised at a local safeguarding meeting.

“During our visits we found concerns about the care and welfare of people living in the home, requirements relating to staff, medication management and record keeping.

“We spoke with all 17 people over the four days we visited, a relative and staff members. Some of the people we spoke with raised concerns about their care and welfare needs not being met.

“Some people spoke positively about the staff and said, ‘the staff are kind’. Another person said ‘they [the staff] won’t let you go out’ and another said, ‘like a prison in here’.”

Inspectors also reported concerns surrounding nutritional needs of residents, cleanliness, and the safety and suitability of the premises.

The report follows a story reported earlier this month regarding concerns from the CQC about Park View Residential Care Home in the Peverell area of the city and run and owned by the same company.

Nick Chapman, of Ashley Residential Care Limited, said the report was “libellous” as it was “factually incorrect” and said he has instructed his lawyers to look into the report.

He also said that while issues and concerns were raised by the CQC, they were put right immediately.

“There were some issues and concerns which were put right at the time of the inspections,” said Mr Chapman. “We are working with the regulator and the local authority to put things right. It’s a very challenging environment for all care operators across the board at the moment.”

But a spokesman for the CQC said: “Mr Chapman has already been given the opportunity to comment on the report. While we are aware of Mr Chapman’s views, we stand by the evidence in the report and expect him to address the issues which were identified by our inspectors.

“We will re-inspect in due course to ensure that the required improvements have been made.”