Clean-up operation at care home

INSPECTORS claimed a care home had a “strong unpleasant smell”.

Paint was also found peeling off the walls inside Hebburn Court Nursing Home during surprise November inspections.

Bosses say a new cleaning team has been hired to tackle the smell, which one resident dubbed “funny”.

But they’ve been warned the South Tyneside home requires improvement.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors found “shortfalls” in the service, which was previously rated as good.

“There was a strong unpleasant smell around the home, including corridors, lounges and people’s bedrooms,” reads their new report.

“Some parts of the home decoration looked tired. The walls were badly scuffed and paint was peeling.

“In some of the bathrooms the woodwork which covering pipes was damaged.

“Maintenance staff were working through a list of improvement actions, however some absence meant they were running behind schedule.”

The report also reveals staff were concerned about overnight staffing levels, while a registered manager hadn’t been in place for the six months prior to the visit.

However inspectors were otherwise positive about the 55-capacity Whitty Avenue home.

Staff were said to be “knowledgeable, friendly and kind” while everything from the food to care plans were praised.

Residents were also found to be happy. One told inspectors: “I do think it’s safe. I like it here.”

And the CQC praised one staff member who “had gone the extra mile” in a heart-warming act to reunite two long-lost friends.

“The wellbeing coordinator told us that during their one-to-one time with people they had talked to one person about a friend they had lost touch with.

“The person had not seen their friend for over 20 years.

“The wellbeing coordinator did some research on behalf of the person and found the friend was being cared for at a nearby care home. A visit was facilitated and the friends were reunited after such a long time. The person had been delighted and a follow up visit had been planned.”

The visit was sparked by concerned relatives of a user, who raised fears over several aspects of the service including staffing levels.

A spokesperson for the home said they had implemented ‘a robust action plan to address the concerns raised’.