Bedford care home temporarily shuts as damning report shows multiple failures
A care home which failed to properly deal with reports of flashing as well as physical assaults has temporarily closed.
The newly-registered service – Amaana Care, in Shakespeare Road, Bedford – has been roundly criticised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
It gave the care home an overall rating of ‘inadequate’ following two visits and identified FIVE BREACHES of the legal regulations in relation to safe care and treatment, safeguarding, need for consent, staffing and governance.
As well as the overall rating, inspectors also said two aspects it critiques – safety and effectiveness – were ‘inadequate’ and the remaining three – caring, responsiveness and leadership ‘require improvement’.
However, during the two visits in May, Amaana Care revealed it was temporarily suspending its service.
The CQC said in the report which has only now been published: “This would involve the service becoming dormant and no longer providing a regulated activity, to enable the provider to review the concerns identified and implement improvements. The local authority was supporting people to find alternative accommodation through this process.”
We’ve approached Bedford Borough Council and Amaana Care multiple times for comment but have yet to receive a response.
Inspectors were particularly concerned the home didn’t protect those living there from abuse.
The health watchdog said: “For example, incidents included a person exposing themselves to others, physical assaults between people, and an incident where one person entered another person’s room and caused injury. Despite the seriousness of these events, no safeguarding referrals had been made to the local authority until we raised our concerns with the provider.
"There was no evidence of escalation beyond internal recording or of measures put in place to protect people from further harm. This meant people were at ongoing risk of abuse, improper treatment, and neglect.”
Staff reported working multiple shifts without formal training and inspectors directly observed unsafe moving and handling practices.
One relative told the health watchdog: “The home is like a rudderless ship. No-one knows what they should do as they have no guidance as to what their next job should be. It is frustrating.”
People were also given medicines covertly – meaning it was hidden in food or drink without their knowledge or consent. Plus, the medicine room temperature exceeded safe limits and had done so for over OVER FOUR WEEKS.
The care home had also had a number of managerial changes within a short period.
A relative told the CQC: “I don’t get the impression the owner cares about the residents. The general care and food is very basic.”
While another added: “I am hoping for some stability which would enthuse the day-to-day staff. They are struggling. There is room for improvement.”
Perhaps a more worrying comment to inspectors came from this relative, who said: “The only concern I have is getting through to the manager. There have been four or five different managers in the year [my relative] has been in the home, so the management is unstable.”
The CQC also found:
>The provider did not detect, assess, or control risks within the environment – there were multiple hazards including excessive hot water temperatures and exposed radiators presenting scald risks
>The provider did not assess or manage the risks of infection prevention and control – there were dirty areas including toilet pull cords, floors, and fixtures
>Staff spent extended periods in communal areas without interacting with people
>People were not always treated as individuals
>The written menu displayed in the lounge remained unchanged between visits despite meals changing, meaning it couldn’t be relied on to support informed choice