Care home placed into ‘special measures’ after ‘concerning’ inspection

A care home has been rated ‘inadequate’ and placed into special measures after the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) latest inspection found ‘areas of concern’.

Stonedale Lodge in Croxteth, Liverpool provides personal and nursing care to up to 150 people. But during its latest inspection in December, concerns were raised around staffing and the care being provided.

Findings published by the CQC this week highlight how all five areas of inspection were rated as ‘needing improvement’ or inadequate.

Some of the concerns raised include patients not receiving their medication in line with best practice, people with diabetes not being managed properly and some patients not being kept clean.

The inspection was carried out by four inspectors, two medicines inspectors and an Expert by Experience in line with Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act).

Karen Knapton, CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said:

“It was concerning that people’s individual health needs weren’t consistently being managed appropriately which placed them at risk of harm.

“We saw one person at risk of a stroke, who needed their blood pressure taken regularly. This wasn’t happening routinely and when it was identified as being high, no action was taken to seek healthcare advice.

“Another person who was assessed as requiring a high fibre diet to help support their medical condition wasn’t always getting this which put them at risk of developing further complications such as constipation.

“This is a place people call home and people being kept clean and hygienic is a basic care need people should be able to expect as an absolute minimum. However, we saw some people looking unkempt with dirty fingernails and unbrushed teeth.

“We also saw that beds had been made but many had stained pillowcases meaning they hadn’t been washed for a while.”

The inspection also found prescribed medicines were not always available to be given to people as there was no stock in the home, people were not always being cared for in a dignified way and record keeping relating to care records was not always captured respectfully.

Following the inadequate inspection, the CQC will be in contact with the provider to discuss what changes need to be made to improve their rating. The service will be kept ‘under review’ and will be re-inspected within six months.

If the provider has not made enough improvement, and there is still a rating of Inadequate for any key question or overall rating, the CQC will take enforcement action.

This will mean the process to prevent the provider from operating will start, and will usually lead to the cancellation of their registration.

Medical Negligence in care homes

If you or a loved one has suffered from medical negligence at a care home which has resulted in avoidable harm you may be entitled to make a claim. Care homes are supposed to be a place of comfort where your needs are met to give you and your loved one the best quality of life.

However, in some cases, care homes fall short of caring for patients adequately, which can result in dangerous situations, accidents and abuse.

If you have suffered due to neglect in a care home, the team of experts at Oakwood Solicitors will be on hand to assist with your claim.

Medical Negligence in Care Homes – What it looks like

A person may be suffering from medical negligence if they experience the following:

Abuse of a victim can take place in many forms such as:

• Lack of adequate physical care
• Neglect of a resident’s basic needs (such as lack of washing, eating etc.)
• Lack of dignity and respect
• Failing to provide medication and adequate food
• Abandonment

Who can make a claim?

Victims of negligence can bring about a claim in their own right. However, it is often the case that the victim is either unable to bring about a claim or has sadly passed away.

In such circumstances, a claim can be brought on their behalf either by an appropriate person or a friend if the victim is still with us. If the victim has passed away it can be brought by the executor of the estate or a surviving dependent of the victim.

When to make a claim

Claims of this nature are subject to a three-year limitation period. This means that claims must be issued within the Courts within three years from the date the negligence act occurred or the date that a reasonable person would become aware that negligence had occurred.

In cases involving deceased victims, this limitation period commences from the date of death.

The law surrounding limitation periods is complex. Our specialist team will be able to advise further.

Further reading

Care home negligence claims – Oakwood Solicitors

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