23.04.2015
More Than Half Of 65 Care Services Inspected By CQC Inadequate Or Needing Improvement
More than half of the 65 care services in Southern England inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) were rated as inadequate or requiring improvement, new figures have revealed.
Expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have expressed concerns that only 27 of the 65 services were rated "good", particularly as problems at some homes in the report were described as "institutional neglect".
Inspectors made unannounced visits to a range of care homes and agencies, with patients ranging from young adults with Asperger's Syndrome to elderly Alzheimer's sufferers.
Poor hygiene and strong odours of urine, bed rails in disrepair, outbreaks of infectious disease and neglectful care resulting in 40 minute waits for toilet trips, malnutrition and dehydration were among the serious issues identified.
Among the homes inspected was Angela Court in Devon, which was recently closed by the CQC, with legal action taken against the home's owner.
Adrian Hughes, CQC deputy chief inspector, said: "Whenever we find a service to be inadequate, we will consider taking further action on behalf of the people who use the service."
Laura Barlow, who represented a number of families whose relatives suffered neglect at the Orchid View care home, said:Expert Opinion
This report into care services in the south of England is extremely concerning. Care home residents may have been injured as a result of the identified failings, which is not acceptable. <br/> <br/>“The recent inspections have identified some very serious failings in the quality of care provided to elderly people in the region and it is absolutely vital these issues are corrected as soon as possible to avoid residents of care homes suffering in the same that the Orchid View Care Home residents suffered. <br/> <br/>“We have seen first-hand the impact neglect and poor standards in care can have on patients and their loved ones and it is crucial those using care services in the region are reassured that the issued highlighted by the CQC will be dealt with immediately and care standards will improve dramatically.
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