'Inadequate' care facility shut down by inspectors

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated Wathwood Lodge "inadequate" across the board in February, after finding breaches of care law there.

Managers at the home, opened on February 1 by Abe Healthcare, had failed to provide adequate staff or plan for residents' evacuation in an emergency.

Staff training and background checks were also insufficient, said inspectors, as were medicine storage and nutrition.

The watchdog visited Wathwood Lodge in February after receiving information from one carer working there, concluding that "people were put at risk of harm".

Managers also had no clear quality control procedures in place. Inspectors gave them six months to improve care, but reported this week that they were unhappy with progress.

The watchdog will now cancel the home's registration to carry out care activities.