By Mal Butler
An Island care home has closed after a second inspection found further concerns by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
As previously reported, Blackwater Mill Residential Home, just outside Newport, was placed in special measures following the first inspection last March, which was finally published in October. The initial report rated the home as ‘inadequate’ and it was put in special measures, with its parent company, Buckland Care, saying extensive steps were being taken to resolve the situation.
Among the issues were: a resident received little to no social interaction for 20 days; smoke alarms were missing from several areas and a boiler room left unlocked; stair-gates which weren’t fit for use in a care home; staff lacked training and guidance on how to support residents; non-issue of prescribed medicines; staff shortages, and employees shared concerns about poor treatment and a lack of support from senior leaders.
However, a CQC spokesperson said, on Wednesday: “Following an inspection of Blackwater Mill Residential Home, run by Blackwater Mill Limited, CQC took action to remove their registration, which effectively cancels the service.
“Blackwater Mill appealed our decision to cancel their registration and, during the appeal process, we re-inspected the service and found further concerns at this inspection.
“As a result, Blackwater Mill informed us they intended to withdraw their appeal against cancelling their registration and confirmed that they would be closing the home.
“People living at the home will be moved to alternative accommodation and the provider will work with the local authority and other partners as needed to do so.
“It’s always a last resort for CQC to take action, which may result in a service that people call home, closing, as we understand the distress and upset this can cause.
“However, people using services should receive safe, effective and high-quality care that meets their needs. Where that isn’t happening, we take action to support services to improve, and, if they aren’t able to, take further action such as cancelling their registration to keep people safe.”
Despite the findings, the home hopes to reopen later in the year with a new provider and a management team.
A Buckland Care spokesman said: “The home will remain open until all residents have been supported in finding suitable new placements, with staff working closely with families and local authorities to ensure a smooth transition.
“This has been an incredibly difficult decision, and every effort is being made to minimise the impact on residents, families, and staff. The priority now is to ensure that all residents are supported in finding the right new home, with as little disruption as possible.”
The home will be looking to reopen later this year under a new provider and a new management team.
Meanwhile, another care home, Autumn House Residential Home in Sandown, has been rated ‘inadequate’ and placed in special measures. The home, which caters for up to 44 residents, many with dementia, was inspected by the CQC, between April 3-11, last year.
Among the concerns uncovered were unsafe medication management, insufficient staff and a lack of effective systems to safeguard residents.
Neil Cox, the CQC’s deputy director of operations in the south, said: “When we inspected Autumn House, we found inconsistent leadership and a ‘closed culture’ to develop behind many of the issues we saw.
“This standard of care provided is completely unacceptable. If rapid and widespread improvements are not made, we won’t hesitate to use our regulatory powers further.”
Isle of Wight Observer