Care home closed after neglect of residents revealed

A care home which was severely criticised by inspectors for neglect, unsafe practices and poor conditions has closed.

Concerns were raised during an inspection by the Care Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) in April, 2013, and when the inspectors returned in December they found “significant deterioration in the provision of care”.

In May it was revealed that a Protection of Vulnerable Adults (PoVA) review was launched after the latest inspection at Amber House in Abergele.

Residents were dishevelled and wearing dirty clothes, there was “an attitude of apathy” among the staff, rooms smelled of urine and bedclothes were stained with faeces.

The inspectors found there was a risk of infection because of some of the poor practices at the home, which was found to be non-compliant with 10 different regulations.

The PoVA investigation involved CSSIW and Conwy County Council, the registering authority.

Some residents were transferred immediately to alternative accommodation and the home has now closed.

The home, one of two owned by Larkfield Care Home Ltd, accommodated 24 elderly residents, eight of whom had dementia.