By Lucy Caulkett-
A residential care home for people with disabilities has been rated ‘Inadequate’ after a national watchdog found patients to be unsafe due to a lack of staff.
Homewards Limited, at Leonard Road, Chingord, which cares for seven people with learning disabilities or autism across two properties was found inadequate by the Care Quality Commission.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) report, rated the service as ‘Inadequate’ following an inspection in August. It has now been put in special measures, The Eye Of Media.Com has heard.
Inspectors wrote: “Staff were identified to work excessive hours This put people at risk of unsafe care as staff were not having a sufficient break before caring for vulnerable people.”
CQC inspectors also found several safety hazards, including we found loose cables in bedrooms.
The service was found to have an outdoor washing machine and an electrical source deemed to pose a health and safety risk as they were using an extension cable and not an outdoor plug.
Inspectors added: “The service was free from malodour and was generally clean but, people’s bedroom windows and a downstairs bathroom were unclean, and wires were found hanging from a bedroom which posed a health and safety risk to people.”
Staff were also criticised for not supporting residents to have maximum choice and control of their lives. The CQC report did praise staff for safely administering medicines correctly and for their ability to identify and protect against abuse.
Care home manager, Qasim Mahmood, attempted to defend the poor rating by stating that it was a result of the home having sacked two members of staff prior to the inspection.
He said additional staff has now been hired the home had been in a transitional period of recruitment. Mr Mahmood said he had challenged the report and was awaiting a meeting with CQC representatives.