Catalogue of failings in Derby care homes revealed in new report

Almost half of care homes funded by Derby City Council are failing to meet national standards, according to a damning report.

And nearly a quarter are failing in some way to protect their residents from harm.

The report, by new health watchdog Healthwatch Derby, focuses on publicly funded care homes looking after hundreds of elderly and vulnerable people in the city, though it said the picture was also “similar” in nearly 200 of the area’s private homes.

It expresses concerns that the city’s care home system is showing “signs of stress”, with 45% of homes failing at least one minimum standard.

Healthwatch Derby’s chief executive is calling for immediate action to bring about improvements in those places which are failing. James Moore said: “Our concern is that, with so many care homes failing at least one of the minimum standards, there is an increase in risk for those in care.”

The report looked at 76 care homes – providing elderly care or looking after people who cannot live independently – either run by the city council or commissioned by it. Thirty-four were found to be failing at least one of five “essential” standards specified by law. The standards state:

Residents have to be cared for safely and protected from harm – 18 homes were failing this requirement.

Residents or patients must be treated with respect and be involved in their own care – one failed.

They must be provided with care, treatment and support which meets their needs – 12 did not meet this.

Care homes must ensure they have the right level of staffing, and all are trained to do their job – 12 failed.

Homes must monitor the quality of their services to make sure residents and patients are safe – 14 did not comply.

To compile its report, Healthwatch Derby used statistics from checks carried out by national watchdog the Care Quality Commission, or CQC.

Mr Moore said: “When you consider that the CQC inspections are based on the minimum standards which a provider needs to achieve to operate, then it is only right to expect that the minimum standard should be achieved to keep those we care about safe.”

Of the 34, the report said 16 were not hitting one or two of these standards and 10 were failing at least three. Six were failing four of the five standards – with the CQC taking action against two of them, and ordering others to improve.

It said eight were under review by the CQC due to “ongoing causes of concern”, although it was not clear how many standards each of these were failing or for how long.

The report said no care home in the city had failed all five. It also said that, collectively, there were more than 240 private and publicly funded care homes registered in Derby and, again, almost half were failing one of the minimum standards.

Mr Moore said: “It is our duty to ensure that local people and decision-makers are made aware of any inadequacies or issues we become aware of.

“While this report focuses on the publicly-funded care provision in the city, the private-sector provision is also similar.

“Our concern is that, with so many homes failing at least one minimum standard, there is an increase in risk for those in care and this needs to be addressed immediately.”

The report does not detail the name of homes but the Derby Telegraph has asked for a list.

The report is due to be presented to Derby City Council’s health and well-being board – which will meet at the Council House today.