21.10.2014
Representatives from the homes in question, Asterbury Place and Mildenhall Lodge, are set to meet with their operator Care UK today (Tuesday October 21st) to discuss the issue and whether or not a formal investigation into the matter is required.
Care UK runs several homes in Suffolk, including Mills Meadow, Paddock House, Ixworth Court, Crabbe Street, Place Court, Sidegate Lane, Wade House and Lehman House, and has done so since December 2012.
A Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection carried out last month at Mildenhall Lodge discovered that standards were below the required level in four out of five categories, while a recent safeguarding check at Asterbury Place led to concerns being raised.
In light of this, admissions at all Care UK-run Suffolk homes have been put on hold until the council is satisfied management of these premises is up to scratch and patients are as safe as possible in these environments.
Speaking to BBC News, managing director for residential care at Care UK Andrew Knight commented: "We apologise that some aspects of the care we provide have fallen short for some residents in the early weeks of the operation of new homes.
"However, I would like to stress that the CQC has inspected 12 of the 14 homes that we run in Suffolk and they have found 11 of them to be fully compliant."
He explained that the remaining facility is currently awaiting inspection, meaning its results will be released in due course.
Despite this, Suffolk MP Daniel Poulter is calling on the CQC to step up its inspections of Care UK homes in the county to provide reassurance to local people that standards are adequate and safe.
Concerns Have Been Raised About Standards At Some Suffolk Care Homes
Suffolk County Council has stopped admitting new patients to residential care homes in the area after concerns were raised about standards and the wellbeing of patients at two facilities.Representatives from the homes in question, Asterbury Place and Mildenhall Lodge, are set to meet with their operator Care UK today (Tuesday October 21st) to discuss the issue and whether or not a formal investigation into the matter is required.
Care UK runs several homes in Suffolk, including Mills Meadow, Paddock House, Ixworth Court, Crabbe Street, Place Court, Sidegate Lane, Wade House and Lehman House, and has done so since December 2012.
A Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection carried out last month at Mildenhall Lodge discovered that standards were below the required level in four out of five categories, while a recent safeguarding check at Asterbury Place led to concerns being raised.
In light of this, admissions at all Care UK-run Suffolk homes have been put on hold until the council is satisfied management of these premises is up to scratch and patients are as safe as possible in these environments.
Speaking to BBC News, managing director for residential care at Care UK Andrew Knight commented: "We apologise that some aspects of the care we provide have fallen short for some residents in the early weeks of the operation of new homes.
"However, I would like to stress that the CQC has inspected 12 of the 14 homes that we run in Suffolk and they have found 11 of them to be fully compliant."
He explained that the remaining facility is currently awaiting inspection, meaning its results will be released in due course.
Despite this, Suffolk MP Daniel Poulter is calling on the CQC to step up its inspections of Care UK homes in the county to provide reassurance to local people that standards are adequate and safe.
Expert Opinion
It is worrying that the level of care at both Asterbury Place and Mildenhall Lodge in Suffolk has fallen below the recommended standard and that admissions have been stopped because of this. It is important that a plan is put in place to address the concerns of the CQC. <br/> <br/>“We know that there is a long history of poor care being provided in the care home industry. Whilst the CQC are attempting to bring standards up to an acceptable level, we continue to be contacted by devastated family members who have witnessed a loved one’s poor care within residential homes and action must be taken to improve standards across the country. <br/> <br/>“The elderly and vulnerable who rely on care home services deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and there is no excuse for this not being met. We hope these issues can be thoroughly investigated to ensure residents are receiving the best standards of care possible.” <br/> Ian Christian - Partner
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