A SOLIHULL care home has been rated ‘inadequate’ and placed in ‘special measures’ by the Care Quality Commission.
Inspectors found management of medicines was ‘not always safe’ and residents’ ‘privacy and dignity were not maintained.’
Fairfield Care Home, in Old Warwick Road, Olton, was also found on inspection to be in breach of health care regulations.
Care home inspectors also condemned the former management of Fairfield, which they said was ‘not well led.’
In its latest inspection, released on November 14, the inspectors stated audits and checks completed by staff were ineffective, cleaning schedules left the home dirty and personal belongings were not treated with respect.
Over the past five annual CQC inspections, Fairfield was deemed to ‘require improvement’, and it now has the lowest rating the CQC can give.
Managers were told to complete an action plan in 2018 to show what they would do to improve, but by September this year the CQC inspectors found improvements had not been made and the provider remained in breach of regulations.
The care home, owned by Mr D and Mrs S Mayariya, has 20 residents when full.
Inspectors were concerned about medication when noting some residents’ medicines were administered through patches applied directly to their skin.
The CQC wrote: “Records of patch application and removal sites were not clear which placed people at risk. Accurate completion of these records is extremely important to ensure application sites are rotated in line with manufacturer’s guidelines to prevent harm – action was taken to address this.”
The commission also said: “Systems were not sufficient to ensure safe use of medicines. This placed people at risk of harm.”
When inspectors were at the home, they noted: “Skirting boards in the dining room were covered in a thick layer of dust. A relative commented, ‘The whole place needs a good scrub.’ A health professional also shared concerns in relation to cleanliness.”
Some aspects such as safety and support for new staff were judged to be good by the inspectors.
Susan Taylor, care home manager since October, told the Solihull Observer: “First of all, we are all very sad about the results of the CQC inspection report.
“Recently, Fairfield had a high turnover of managers and its been the lack of management that caused issues. Its not so much the residents care, as they say they are happy here, but we had problems with our paperwork and systems. One issue was staff felt there was a change in paperwork procedures every time there was a change in management.
“I have since met with the inspectors and we are putting all plans into place to improve. We have consultants working with us, and I will be reporting to the CQC every month.
“We don’t agree with everything in the inspection, but it has happened and we need to get on with improving.
“It was addressed immediately by senior staff. Our team are all just as upset and they all ask what we can do to improve.
“It is a small care home, we are friendly, but we do have a Victorian building which itself needs some TLC.
“Having taken over as manager I am taking it very seriously, its clear we have to turn this situation around.
“There are 20 rooms here, we have vacancies but the important thing now is we need to change our rating.”
