‘Inadequate’ care home closes
STAFF AND PATIENTS TRANSFERRED FROM ROWLANDSON HOUSE
A Sunderland care home has closed its doors after being placed into special measures by care watchdogs.
Rowlandson House was found to be poorly led after inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited between September and October last year.
During the inspection, concerns were raised about the storage of medicines, with missing tablets which couldn’t be accounted for.
The report found some confidential care records were not stored securely, staff lacked information about people’s needs, and residents weren’t given stimulating activities to do.
At the time of the inspection at the home, in Rowlandson Terrace, off Ryhope Road, Ashbrooke, it had 21 residents, most of whom had dementia.
This month, care home bosses made the decision to close the home with Sunadequate’, derland City Council and Sunderland’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) supporting patients and staff.
At the CCG’s governing body meeting last week, health bosses were updated on the transition.
This included the transfer of 25 residents – including two who were in hospital at the time – to other residential homes and care facilities in Sunderland.
As part of the closure, the meeting heard all staff were offered and accepted care jobs elsewhere in the city.
Chairman of the CCG governing body, Dr Ian Pattison, praised the process at the Bede Tower meeting.
“I think it’s always a challenge with the short notice you get, but I think it’s some assurance to this board that we have systems in place as a partnership to make sure these things happen swiftly and appropriately for patients,” he said.
After being labelled ‘in- the CQC issued a warning notice, ordering bosses at Rowlandson House to prevent admissions until improvements were made.
Loyal Care Centre Limited, which ran the home, also submitted an action plan to the CQC and council outlining its plans to improve.
Cabinet member for health and social care on the council, Coun Dr Geoffrey Walker, said several checks were put in place during the transition.
“As soon as the owner made their decision to close the residential home, council staff became involved to guide them during this process,” he said.