Residents at ‘serious risk’ over fly problem
Flies were found on care home residents’ food, drinks and dressings, putting them at ‘serious risk’ of harm to their health and wellbeing.
Florence Court Care Home, in Segensworth Road, Segensworth, was inspected by the Care Quality Commission which found a fly infestation at the house, putting people at risk of harm.
The service supports older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of the inspection, there were 32 people living there.
The CQC visited the home in October 2022 and noticed the fly infestation. In January 2023, the commission received two complaints from relatives about the problem.
On their second visit in February, the problem still needed to be addressed.
The house has been facing fly infestation since October. Although it hired a professional company to investigate and fix the problem, the issue was not solved.
The report said: ‘Although some mitigation of risks associated with the fly infestation had been completed, this was limited. The service had used a reputable pest control company to investigate the cause of the infestation. However, when the problem had persisted, the service had not sought other external professional/expert advice to assist in making improvements.’
Some people had skin wounds which were more vulnerable to a risk of infection from the insects.
‘Flies were seen on people’s dressed wounds, found in drinks, and seen on people’s food,’ the report said.
‘This meant there was a risk food and drink were contaminated, which could cause illness.’
Astaffmembersaid:‘Loads of times we find (flies) in people’s drinks; yesterday they were in (resident’s name), and they can’t see the flies.’ During thevisit,aCQCofficerspoketo family members.
One relative said: ‘Two weeks ago, we were clapping (flies) away. In the last few days, they have decreased.’ The resident then said: ‘No, they haven’t (decreased).’
Residents also expressed their discomfort about the situation. ‘(The flies) drive me mad, but I put up with them, they go up my nose.’
Despite the infestation, the lack of management and the breach of safeguarding policies, residents told the CQC officer that the service provides ‘good care’.
Florence Court Care Home was contacted for comment.