Care home official hits back at ‘inadequate’ rating in angry rant about the CQC
FACILITY RECEIVES ‘BELOW GOOD’ RATING FOR THE SIXTH CONSECUTIVE TIME
THE managing director of a care home has hit back at the Care Quality Commission after the facility he runs was rated “inadequate” following a recent inspection.
Willows Care Home in Barton-upon-Humber remains in special measures following the inspection on February 8.
The facility, which provides accommodation and personal care for people aged 65 and over, receives a “below good” rating for the sixth consecutive time.
The CQC report stated that concerns were identified in medicines administration, risk management and infection control practices.
It read: “Staff continued to not receive adequate induction, training or supervision to ensure they had the appropriate skills and knowledge to support people.
“People continued to not always be safeguarded from the risk of abuse as oversight of these systems were not effective and the provider failed to take action when required.”
In response to the report, managing director Jeremy Davis has hit back at the CQC and reminds the public that every care facility was under extreme pressure following the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Davis said: “The management team and staff at the home have been thanked for our hard work by the local authority. We have appointed a new manager who is now in post.
“The CQC, in the last three months, have done more notices of proposals to close care homes than they have in the last two-and-a-half years.
“The inspections tend to be during the period of Covid, they are looking particularly at paperwork during that period when there was a shortage of staff and difficulties all round and more important than the paperwork - which is what they always look at - is the care of the residents.
“It’s ironic that the courts upheld that the discharge of people from hospitals to care homes was illegal when CQC worries about small things and yet, that discharge must have been sanctioned by the CQC who are, of course, the regulator for both hospitals and care homes.
“Care homes generally, not just us, have been under extreme pressure. And frankly, the CQC, who disappeared at the start of the pandemic, have now come out with a vengeance. The question is why?”
Responding directly to these claims, Kate Terroni, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care at CQC, told the Grimsby Telegraph: “Where there are concerns that people who receive care are not safe or are experiencing neglect we urge people to raise these concerns with us – every person in care deserves a safe and dignified environment, free from harm.
“The majority of care homes are good or outstanding and this reflects the incredible efforts of carers and providers who have gone above and beyond to provide high-quality care over the course of the pandemic and since lockdown measures have been relaxed. However, where concerns are brought to our attention we will not hesitate to act.
“We will always follow up on information of concern, and where there is risk we will inspect to ensure that people are safe and receiving high quality care.
“Where we find people are at risk we will not hesitate to take further regulatory action to ensure people’s safety and human rights are upheld.
“We have also launched our joint Because We All Care campaign to support people in care and their loved ones by encouraging people to share feedback on individual experience.”