Regulators are helping move people out of a care home after a fifth damning report found it was not safe, not well managed, grimy, and dirty.
A Care Quality Commission (CQC) report published on January 17 detailed its findings at the Sandrock Nursing Home in Wallasey, Wirral following three inspection visits in October and November 2023. The care home has been rated inadquate since April 2021 following five critical reports by the CQC and Wirral Council has suspended its services there since July 2021.
This found people were not always protected from the risk of infection spreading, unoccupied rooms “not clean or in good condition,” "a build up of grime, dirt and cobwebs" found in several places, “a strong malodorous smell in one toilet,” and in an unclean ground floor bathroom,“ a broken bath panel that had sharp edges protruding out.”
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In the report, the CQC said the care home was found to be “not safe” and “not well led” with no registered manager in place, adding: “The provider neglected the premises people lived in placing them at risk of harm. We found a series of concerns relating to the health and safety of both the inside and outside of the premises and regarding to poor management of infection control.”
Some bedroom fire doors did not close properly and fire exits were not clearly defined. There were continued concerns about “a lack of robust oversight,” the condition of the building and a potential risk people may ingest toiletries and cleaning products that were left in open lockers.
The care home’s last manager was voluntarily removed on August 20, 2023 but no notification was given to the CQC on future management arrangements as required by law. Audits of the home were not completed consistently, governance poorly managed, and maintenance staff were only working three days a week.
However the care home was praised in some aspects. The report said: “People told us they were comfortable and received good food and care from the staff. Some people told us there wasn't much to do but they liked to sit and watch the television.”
The report added: “People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were protected from abuse because staff understood the correct procedure to follow if they had any concerns. Staff were knowledgeable about people's health.”
After a previous inspection published in September found people in the care home were at risk of abuse due to poor conditions in the building, the care home was issued a warning but the November inspection found not enough improvements had been made.
The nursing home provides accommodation for up to 28 people but at the time of the most recent inspection, only seven lived in the home. The CQC said commissioners were now helping people move out of the home.
The care home has been issued with another warning the CQC may look to close down the service. When asked previously why it had not already done so given past critical reports, the CQC said it had taken enforcement action, adding: “If we have concerns, we will not hesitate to take action in line with our regulatory powers.”
The regulator said it will reinspect the home in six months and if found inadequate again, it may mean it “will begin the process of preventing the provider from operating this service. This will usually lead to cancellation of their registration or to varying the conditions of the registration.”
Sandrock Nursing Home was approached for comment.
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