AN ‘INADEQUATE’ Solihull nursing home remains in ‘special measures’ after a new inspection found frail elderly residents were at ongoing risk of harm and abuse.
It is despite months of ‘improvement plans’ for Chelmunds Court home, Pomeroy Way, Chelmsley Wood, overseen by national watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The CQC found it was ‘inadequate’ and placed it in ‘special measures’ in July.
Solihull council commissions some beds for vulnerable elderly people placed at the home, and has been involved with the improvement plans.
The CQC’s latest report now concludes patients are still being put at risk because of mishandling of medicine.
There were other significant ongoing concerns about risk management and protecting residents from abuse.
An over-reliance on agency staff meant the standard of care was not improving.
And there were continuing breaches of the safety regulations expected under law.
More management changes had take place – with the introduction of a fourth manager since the home opened in November last year.
It received specific inadequate ratings in the categories of whether the service was well-led and whether it was safe.
The home is a purpose-built 73-bed residential complex for the elderly – mainly those with dementia.
It is operated by Runwood Homes Group.
The company had issued a formal apology and insisted steps have been taken to improve care through an ‘action plan’.
In July, the Observer heard concerns from upset relatives about care for their loved ones, staffing levels and training.
The CQC says services in special measures are kept under review for six months. The home has now been under review since August.
If ‘significant improvements’ to the service are not achieved in this time-frame, it can result in the cancellation of the provider’s registration.
The newly published report, which follows an August inspection, states: “During this inspection we found some improvements had been made which included the ordering and stock control of medicines.
“However, we found that other areas we had previously identified as requiring urgent improvement remained unsafe.
“Therefore, the provider remains in breach of this regulation and the rating remains ‘inadequate’.
One the home’s management, it said: “During this visit we saw some improvements had been made.
“However, people remained at risk of harm and sufficient improvements needed to ensure people received good quality, safe care had not been made.
“The provider remains in breach of regulation 17. Good Governance and the rating remains ‘inadequate’.”
It also states: “We reviewed medicine administration records (MARs) for 18 people which showed us some people had not received some medicines in the week before our visit which placed people at risk.”
And of risk management, it concludes: “We identified further significant concerns in relation to the risk management at the home which meant lessons had not been learnt by the provider.
“This was because we found people were not consistently protected from abuse by other people living at the home.
“Staff did not always follow the provider’s reporting procedure.
“Also, the system for checking staff followed procedures was not effective.”
A Runwood Homes spokesperson said: “Chelmunds Court has undergone a full managerial restructure which has resulted in significant improvements and progress within the service.
“We continue to work in partnership with all key stakeholders ensuring only the highest standards of care are evidenced and maintained.”
We will continue to monitor this service very closely as it develops.
