Care home placed in special measures by CQC

A Kent care home has been placed in special measures after an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) raised concerns regarding its "quality of care".

Whitstable House in Boorman Way, run by Whitstable House Limited, provides care to older people, including people with dementia and physical disabilities.

CQC said it found six breaches of regulations relating to management, staffing, safe care, people's dignity, and safeguarding and gave the care home an overall "inadequate" rating.

Sharon Geary, manager of Whitstable House, said: "The concerns raised by the CQC had already been identified by the company prior to their visit, and steps had been taken to address them."

The CQC added that the service's safety management and responsiveness "requires improvement".

Neil Cox, CQC's deputy director in the south, said during the inspection in November they found "poor leadership which had created an environment where people didn't feel safe and not receiving the care when needed".

"While some staff were trying their best, they lacked the training, processes and support from leaders to care for people properly," he added.

Mr Cox said it was "concerning" to hear from residents about "significant delays" in receiving basic care.

"One person told us they had to wait until after 11am for personal care, having been left in the same incontinence pad all night with staff unable to explain the delay when asked," he added.

The report found serious incidents, including injuries to residents, were not properly reported or investigated and call bells frequently left unanswered.

The report also stated care plans missed crucial information about residents' needs and people's choices about their care were "regularly ignored or overlooked".

The CQC report also noted the care home was clean with appropriate infection control measures and many individual staff "showed genuine care and concern for residents".

Ms Geary said the Whitstable House team had "worked diligently" over the past five months to make "meaningful improvements".

"A new management team was in place ahead of the inspection, and all identified breaches were resolved before the deadline," she added.

"We are confident that our staff are now well-trained, motivated, and fully understand their roles and responsibilities."

Ms Geary added they looked forward to "welcoming the CQC back to see the progress they have made".

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