Nottinghamshire Care Home Receives “Inadequate” Rating Following Whistleblower Concerns

An inspection has revealed that residents at a Nottinghamshire care home were subjected to the odor of urine-soaked bedding and had to bang on tables to get attention. Stoneyford Care Home in Sutton-in-Ashfield has been assessed as “inadequate” and placed into special measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The inspection was initiated after a whistleblower raised concerns regarding staffing levels and the standard of care being provided. The CQC also reported finding that some individuals were fearful about safety issues but did not report them due to apprehension of “negative repercussions.” Stoneyford is advertised on its website as a purpose-built care facility with 51 beds, offering both residential and residential dementia care. During the inspection conducted in July, there were 28 residents present. Following this assessment, the home was rated “inadequate” in the areas of safe, effective, responsive, caring, and well-led. It had previously held an overall rating of “good.” The CQC stated that the home was poorly managed, leading to “people being placed at risk of harm and not receiving proper care.” The report further noted that a lack of supervision in communal areas resulted in residents needing to shout or strike tables for attention, with inspectors documenting at least one instance where a person had to wait for assistance to use the toilet. Steven Paisley, CQC interim deputy director of operations in the Midlands, commented: “Some people felt scared due to safety issues but were fearful of negative repercussions if they voiced their concerns, which is really concerning in a place they call home where they should be happy, safe and comfortable.“Staff weren’t carrying out basic hygiene and infection control tasks, which placed people at risk as well as making the home an unpleasant place to spend time due to strong odours from things like urine-soaked bedding in a bedroom.” Inspectors observed that staff members lacked knowledge concerning residents’ identified risks or the appropriate application of restraint. They also highlighted that the existing processes and care plans did not accurately identify risks to individuals or reflect their wishes. However, the CQC indicated that the leadership acknowledged the identified problems and took immediate steps to address them. A spokesperson for Serene Care, the operator of the home, confirmed that the home’s manager had been replaced just days before the inspection. They added: “While we acknowledge the serious nature of the CQC’s findings, we want to assure our residents, their families, and the community that we are committed to providing the highest standard of care.” “We continue to invest in our people, our processes, and our physical environment to create a safe, supportive, and dignified environment for all residents.” The CQC explained that “special measures” mean the home will be kept under close scrutiny to verify that sufficient improvements have been implemented. For updates, follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Story ideas can be sent to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.