Kilnhurst residential home ‘inadequate’

Dirty sinks, broken toilets and clean linens stored next to toilet bowls, causing a risk of contamination, were among the findings of a follow-up report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on Meadow View in Kilnhurst.

The commission found serious issues last summer and carried out more checks in March.

Last year, inspectors blasted poor medicine management, understaffing and low responsiveness to care needs.

Staff training left a lot to be desired, they said, with carers admitting “they had to learn as they went along”.

The CQC saw only minor improvements on findings of a previous inspection, in summer 2014.

Revisiting Meadow View in March, they found shortcomings in the areas of safety, effectiveness, responsiveness and leadership.

Inspectors said medicines were now “stored and administered safely”, while there were “enough skilled staff to meet people’s needs”.

But they added: “The service still needed some improvements to make it safe.

“Systems were in place to manage infection, prevention and control, however we found these had not always been followed in practice.”

The CQC picked out dirty sinks, broken toilets and clean linens stored next to toilet bowls, causing a risk of contamination.

The care experts also criticised the home’s “meal time experience”, saying that meals were nutritious but “the environment did not fully meet the needs of people living with dementia”.

They added: “Corridors and doors were all similar colours, which meant people would find it difficult to locate a bathroom or toilet.

“Handrails in some areas were the same colour as the walls, making them hard to see for people who were visually-impaired.

“We did not see any resources that would make the environment more appropriate, accessible and enjoyable for people living with dementia.”

While the home had employed a new activities co-ordinator, they found, residents and their relatives still complained about a “lack of stimulation”.

One resident told inspectors: “I just sit in my chair or wheelchair all day.

“They play bingo, I’m not interested. I can’t hold a pen and I’m losing my eyesight.

“They have a keep fit man come once a month, but I can’t do what he wants us to do.”

A relative added: “No-one seems to do activities now, except a few musical things.

“They used to take them out, but they don’t anymore.”

Inspectors described the service as “well led”, but said new systems “still needed to be fully embedded into practice to ensure improvements were sustained”.

Staff told the CQC they were hopeful about a change in management since their last inspection.

A new leadership team was “making a big difference, sorting staff out” one carer said.

The home, which is run by Amore Care, houses up to 48 people with dementia or other personal care needs.

A spokesman for the home said: “We have made demonstrable improvements, which are recognised by the CQC in its report.

“We are working extremely hard to ensure residents receive the highest possible standard of care.”

He added: “The CQC recognises the many positive steps that have been taken and we are working hard with our regulator to ensure we meet all its requirements to a high standard.”