Care home again told by regulators it must improve

A care home near Horsham has again been criticised by health regulators.

Rapkyns Nursing Home in Broadbridge Heath which looks after people with learning and physical disabilities - was inspected by the Care Quality Commission in February, and in a report just out, has been rated as ‘requiring improvement’.

Rapkyns is run by Sussex Health Care which is currently at the centre of a police investigation following the deaths of 13 people at nine of its homes.

Inspectors said: “Some areas of support were not consistently safe” at Sycamore Lodge, and “not all risks were managed safely.” However, the commission rated the care home ‘good’ for caring, although overall it ‘required improvement’.

At its previous inspection, the care home was rated ‘inadequate’ but it has now been taken out of special measures because of improvements.

A spokesman for Sussex Health Care said: “We are pleased to receive another improved rating from the CQC for one of our homes. This report makes reference to our residents being treated with dignity in a sensitive, kind and caring way in a building designed to meet people’s needs.

“Like all good quality care providers, we strive to improve all the time, and we will continue to do so.”