Bristol care home failing its residents

Independent watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has given the owners of the Sunnymead Manor nursing home in Southmead, near Bristol, seven days to produce plans to show how they intend to improve.

CQC Inspectors found that the Mimosa Healthcare-owned care home was failing to meet six essential standards of quality and safety which are enshrined in law for care homes.

The report raised issues over cleanliness, infection control, medicine management, staffing issues and the care and welfare of people.

The CQC found that people with dementia were being ignored, despite repeated calls for help; they were not supported to help clean themselves; there were offensive odours and stains in bedrooms; dirt on furnishings; and no evidence of clinical training for staff in management of wound care or infection control.

“It is even more disturbing when you consider that many of the residents here are frail, vulnerable people.” CQC Regional Director Ian Biggs.

Regional Director Ian Biggs said: “The care at Sunnymead fell far short of the standards people have a right to expect. It is even more disturbing when you consider that many of the residents here are frail, vulnerable people who are the least able to complain about the poor and unhygienic environment, even though it is their permanent residence…

“Our residents will return to Sunnymead in the near future and if we find that the home is not making progress we won’t hesitate to use our legal powers on behalf of the people who live there.”

Alert

The alert was first raised by a member of staff at the home. Bristol City Council then suspended referrals to the home and the NHS, CQC, the council and other agencies have since been working together to ensure the safety of all residents. Mimosa must now send weekly reports to the CQC.

A spokesman for Mimosa told Channel 4 News that it would respond to all of the actions requested by the CQC report and “regrets” that it has recently fallen short in its delivery of care. A new deputy manager will join the home by the end of this month, and a new manager by January.

“Mimosa Healthcare takes the concerns and issues highlighted within this report extremely seriously…The safety, well being and care of all our residents are of paramount importance to Mimosa Healthcare,” he said.

“We unreservedly apologise to all concerned.” Statement from Mimosa Healthcare

“When incidents occur that compromise the high standards of care we deliver on a day to day basis this is wholly unacceptable and we unreservedly apologise to all concerned. We will undertake all of the necessary training, investment and management that Sunnymead Manor requires to overcome the current issues working with CQC, Bristol City Council and the NHS in Bristol and ensure the standards we deliver at Sunnymead Manor are of the highest quality and consistency.”

Human rights

Acting chief executive of Counsel and Care, Caroline Bernard, said the report “made for upsetting reading”.

She said: “Such poor standards of care infringes on the human rights of older people, and we support the CQC in the tough action they have taken.”

However, she told Channel 4 News that bad care homes like this should not put older people and their families off all care homes.

“This undermines the excellent care provided in many homes across the country,” she said. “Sadly there is poor care, but the CQC is uncovering it and clamping down, and that’s a good thing.

“Older people who need to go to care homes, and their families, should not be put off. Care homes, for many older people, are the place they need to be. But people need to be informed, to shop around, to get the information and look for support.

“So no – don’t be afraid of care homes. But – be informed. Go in armed with the knowledge you need. Steer clear of the bad care homes identified by the CQC. And if you are concerned about poor care, don’t be afraid to complain.”