24.07.2014
Inspectors found a number of issues that need to be addressed quickly if the home is to be given a clean bill of health by the watchdog.
One of the main problems was a lack of cleanliness, with patients adjudged to have been put at risk of infection because of a general lack of hygiene.
Inspectors found that the Sunnymead Manor home was not clean and that there was an unpleasant smell in most areas.
In addition to this, systems to prevent cross-infection were not followed by staff and tables were described as "dirty and sticky" by health visitors.
Recordkeeping was also lacking, with no records found to show that any cleaning was undertaken by staff within the previous two months before the inspection
.
Other areas of concern for inspectors included a lack of planning, privacy and dignity, staff support, protection from abuse, monitoring and responding to complaints from members of the public, as well as patients.
A CQC spokesperson said the organisation would conduct a follow-up inspection in the coming months to see if positive changes had been made.
It added that if it is found the home as not improved then it would consider legal action to protect residents.
However, Four Seasons Health Care, which runs the facility, told the BBC: "We are sorry that the home was not compliant with all... criteria when it was inspected three months ago. The situation is very different today.
"We have taken the CQC requirements and recommendations very seriously."
The CQC has taken repeated action against non-compliant care homes in recent months and has made improving residential retirement complexes run by private companies a priority.
Four Seasons Health Care was given a commendation by the Nursing Times in 2012 for its "excellent care" of older people.
The publication has not responded to the CQC's inspection results.
A Southmead Care Home Has Been Ordered To Improve By The CQC
The Sunnymead Manor care home in Southmead has been ordered to improve by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).Inspectors found a number of issues that need to be addressed quickly if the home is to be given a clean bill of health by the watchdog.
One of the main problems was a lack of cleanliness, with patients adjudged to have been put at risk of infection because of a general lack of hygiene.
Inspectors found that the Sunnymead Manor home was not clean and that there was an unpleasant smell in most areas.
In addition to this, systems to prevent cross-infection were not followed by staff and tables were described as "dirty and sticky" by health visitors.
Recordkeeping was also lacking, with no records found to show that any cleaning was undertaken by staff within the previous two months before the inspection
.
Other areas of concern for inspectors included a lack of planning, privacy and dignity, staff support, protection from abuse, monitoring and responding to complaints from members of the public, as well as patients.
A CQC spokesperson said the organisation would conduct a follow-up inspection in the coming months to see if positive changes had been made.
It added that if it is found the home as not improved then it would consider legal action to protect residents.
However, Four Seasons Health Care, which runs the facility, told the BBC: "We are sorry that the home was not compliant with all... criteria when it was inspected three months ago. The situation is very different today.
"We have taken the CQC requirements and recommendations very seriously."
The CQC has taken repeated action against non-compliant care homes in recent months and has made improving residential retirement complexes run by private companies a priority.
Four Seasons Health Care was given a commendation by the Nursing Times in 2012 for its "excellent care" of older people.
The publication has not responded to the CQC's inspection results.
Expert Opinion
The issues highlighted by the Care Quality Commission at the Sunnymead Manor care home are extremely worrying and it is vital that staff members and the management of the home address the failings raised during the inspection, and take steps to improve standards quickly. <br/> <br/>“Action must be taken to develop a culture of respect in the care home industry, which will help to prevent poor care from occurring in the first place, rather than waiting for it to happen before action is taken. Following Jeremy Hunt’s recent announcement that the CQC will be empowered to put care homes into special measures, it is important that the CQC demonstrates its willingness to use these powers and bring failing care homes to account. <br/> <br/>“Our work on behalf of patients and care home residents who are not provided with the appropriate care they need means we understand the impact such issues can have, so it is important the issues raised by the CQC are tackled immediately. The safety of care home residents must always be the top priority and a key part of ensuring this is taking the required steps to ensure problems are resolved and standards reach the correct level set by the CQC.” Ian Christian - Partner
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