Care home residents moved out following five deaths

By The Press Association21st March 2015News EnglandCare Homes, Inspection, Isle of Wight, News England, Older People

A local authority is moving its residents from a care home following the launch of a police inquiry in to the death of five residents.

The action has been taken following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report in to Holmdale House Care Home in Ryde, Isle of Wight, which found it to be inadequate in all five main areas of inspection.

Isle of Wight Council has said it it is removing the two residents that it funds at the care home and is advising the family of the last remaining self-funding client to find an alternative home.

A Hampshire Police spokeswoman confirmed a probe had been launched after questions had been raised about the standard of care for residents at Holmdale House which came under new management in January last year.

She said: “Hampshire Constabulary has been made aware of information about the circumstances surrounding the deaths of five former residents at Holmdale House care home in Ryde on the Isle of Wight.

“Questions have been raised around the standard of care the patients have received during their illnesses.

“An investigation has been launched and investigators are working closely with partner agencies – the Care Quality Commission, Adult Services at Isle of Wight Council and the Isle of Wight coroner – to determine the full circumstances.

“The families of those involved are also being kept fully up to date with the progress of this investigation.”

The CQC inspection found failings including that medicine was not given on time and properly trained staff were not always available. Also action was not taken after a resident suffered a fall, health and safety regulations were not followed and not all residents had a care plan and their privacy and dignity were not respected.

Martin Elliott, head of adult social care and community wellbeing at Isle of Wight Council, said: “The Isle of Wight Council is working with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to support residents in an Isle of Wight care home after it was found to be ‘inadequate’ by the CQC.

“In December 2014, the council launched its own urgent investigation after concerns were raised by the CQC about standards of care in the privately-run Holmdale House Care Home in Havenstreet, which is registered for 31 clients.

“Working with the CQC, which regulates residential care homes, the council followed correct procedures and took all necessary steps to ensure that residents in the home received appropriate care. Many of the clients have moved out of the privately-run home and have been found alternative placements, however some self-funding clients have chosen to stay at the home.

“The council’s priority is to ensure the safety of the remaining residents, and social care staff have been visiting the home frequently since the CQC raised its concerns to ensure appropriate care is being provided and that care home staff are following correct procedures. The council continues to liaise closely with relatives of those living in the home and professionals involved.

“We would like to offer our condolences to the relatives of those residents who have recently passed away. As there is an ongoing police investigation, it would be inappropriate for the council to comment further.”

A spokesman for Holmdale House said: “The staff and management are working very hard to rectify the points raised in the CQC report and have made progress with the improvements.

“We have been strongly advised not to make any further comment until the outcome of the investigation.”