Maidstone Care Home Rated Inadequate, Placed in Special Measures

A care facility situated in Maidstone has been designated for special measures subsequent to an inspection that determined its residents were unsafe and subjected to “institutionalised” conditions. Mont Calm Residential Home, operated by MGL Healthcare Limited, which provides personal and nursing care to 25 residents, including some with dementia, received an inadequate rating. Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) conducted a visit in September and subsequently issued three warnings to the management “for not providing safe care, safe staffing and not managing the service effectively”. The care home has been approached for a comment. Serena Coleman, the CQC’s deputy director of operations for the southern region, expressed that she was “deeply concerned” by the findings. She stated, “We found a service where safety risks weren’t managed well and people weren’t being supported to live an independent life or have access to meaningful and person-centred activities.” She added, “Staff told inspectors that care wasn’t based on the support needs or choices of people.” Coleman noted that certain residents recognized they were adhering to a strict routine, exemplified by practices such as bathing once per week or being dressed and present in the lounge by 08:00 daily. She also remarked, “The service didn’t always investigate incidents which placed people at risk.” Furthermore, inspectors observed that numerous care plans were generalized and frequently failed to incorporate residents’ preferences or safeguard their rights. Due to the absence of individualized activities within the facility, residents voiced complaints of boredom. The CQC reported that individuals residing at the home were occasionally administered “as and when” medicines even when such medication might not have been required.