Care home rated 'inadequate' over risk of falls

A care home has been rated inadequate by a health watchdog over concerns about the management of the risks of falls after it was notified a person using the service had died and another had sustained a serious injury.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors found that Brockenhurst, in Littlehampton, West Sussex, was lacking systems to keep people safe.

It found several breaches of regulations relating to the management of risks, administration of medicines, staffing, person-centred care, dignity and respect, and the management of the service.

A spokesperson for the home said improvements were made within weeks of the inspection to keep people safe, but there was more to be done.

Serena Coleman, the CQC's deputy director of operations in the south, said: "During our inspection of Brockenhurst care home, we found widespread and significant issues with its leadership had placed people at risk of harm."

"The inspection did not examine the circumstances of the death or the fall that prompted the inspection, but these incidents are subject to further investigation," a CQC spokesperson said.

"The information shared with CQC about the incidents indicated potential concerns about the management of risks of falls and this inspection examined those risks."

Brockenhurst which cares for people with dementia said they took immediate action after the inspection in March to create an action plan addressing safety concerns within weeks.

"We took robust action to enhance the safety of all residents," said Phil Hale, an independent care consultant, working with the care home.

The home said accidents had been analysed and action taken for individual residents who have had falls, to reduce the risk of further falls.

"We have therefore concentrated on making sure residents are safe and their wellbeing enhanced," added Mr Hale.

The CQC report said failures in identifying people's needs had led to people needing to move from the home.

But Mr Hale said residents "were not moved out", rather that a decision had been made for a few residents that their care needs would be better met elsewhere.

Mr Hale also said that relatives regularly told him that they did not want their loved ones moved because they were happy with the level of care they received.

The CQC says in its report that "people and their relatives spoke positively about staff and described them as kind and caring".

The home say they look forward to the CQC reinspecting later this year, "so that their rating can more accurately reflect the quality of care being provided now".

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