Two Wiltshire care homes have been found to be ‘inadequate’ by the regulator – the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Both inspection reports raise serious concerns about the treatment of vulnerable adults who are in the overall care of Wiltshire Council.
One report involves allegations of sexual abuse and the other involves a case of physical abuse and serious injury.
Glanmor care home in Chippenham provides residential care for up to seven people with mental and associated health needs. The inspection by the CQC “…was prompted in part by notification of an incident following which a person using the service sustained serious injury.”
This incident is under investigation by the Wiltshire Council’s Safeguarding Adults team “…and may in the future be considered by CQC under our specific incident process.”
The CQC rated all five of the aspects of service on which it judges care homes as being ‘inadequate’ or ‘requires improvement’ – with an overall rating of ‘inadequate’.
The care home is run by ABLE (Action for a Better Life) – a local charity based in Trowbridge. They have a similar care home in Melksham which received a ‘Good’ rating from the CQC last February.
The CQC has put Glanmor into ‘special measures’ to ensure rapid improvements are made. The report notes: “We have concerns about the provider and management team at this service [being able] to meet the requirements of the regulations [about] placing people at risk of receiving inappropriate and unsafe care.”
“Prior to this inspection the provider failed to notify us of two serious injury incidents to a person in the [home]. At this inspection we found a further incident of physical abuse had not been made to the CQC.”
Concerns about the other care home subject to a CQC inspection are even more serious. The Rowde home (which is in the village of Rowde near Devizes), is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 37 people with learning disabilities and associated health needs.
It is run by the national charity HF Trust Limited. Allegations have been made of sexual abuse at this home. While some of these allegations go back to the previous ownership of the home, “…others have continued during this provider’s governance.”
This case is also being investigated by the Wiltshire Council Adults Safeguarding team. In addition: “The CQC are reviewing the information and considering what regulatory action to take.” This inspection took place in July 2018 and the report was issued on December 31.
However, the CQC have “…served a Notice of Decision against this location to impose urgent conditions.” Rowde cannot admit any other person without permission of the CQC and must submit monthly reports showing how they keep people safe.
The details of the report make alarming reading. The rights of the people in the home were not protected in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act: “We identified that potentially 24 people were being deprived of their liberty unlawfully.”
Five incidents of abuse had not been reported to the CQC and the management was unaware of them: “This meant people had been left at risk of ongoing harm. Staff had lost confidence in the previous and current management teams to take their concerns seriously and provide appropriate support.”
The overall rating for the Rowde care home is ‘inadequate’ and it too has been put into ‘special measures’: “The model of care at Rowde would not be registered if an application were to be received at this moment in time” – which means it would not be allowed to look after vulnerable people.
This CQC report has revealed evidence of another problem within the care home ‘system’ – changing ownership of homes leading to people being shipped around the country.
Half those at Rowde when the CQC inspectors visited were from local authorities other than Wiltshire: “A lot of people living at Rowde had been moved to this site when another large residential home in Devon run by the previous provider had closed…This meant that some people were living long distances from their relatives.”
A Wiltshire Council spokesperson told marlborough.news: “Our primary concern is the wellbeing of those living in the homes, and ensuring they are getting the appropriate care and support.”
“We know this will be an unsettling time for residents and their families, and we are working with the homes and our partner organisations to ensure they have an action plan in place and that swift improvements are being made.”
The full CQC reports on these two Wiltshire care care homes can be accessed via these links: Glanmor and Rowde