Care Home in Stratford fails government inspection

Else Kvist, Reporter Tuesday, March 12, 2013
3:36 PM

A care home for adults with mental health problems has failed an inspection by a health watchdog.

Consensa Care Limited on Colegrave Road in Stratford was told that action and improvements were needed in areas ranging from respecting to safeguarding residents against abuse.

It came as the Care Quality Commission published a report last month following an unannounced inspection in December.

The seven beds home provides a 24-hour drugs misuse treatment and rehabilitation service.

Inspectors found that people using the service were not always treated with dignity, consideration and respect.

Some people’s risk assessment was either missing or lacking important information.

Staff showed a good understanding of people’s needs, according to inspectors, but did not always include appropriate risk taking.

Some people said they were not always happy with the service and the treatment received.

Overall sleeping arrangements were found to be basic but clean.

One person told inspectors: “It’s disgusting the way they treat us and how we are expected to sleep.”

Inspectors were told the beds were so uncomfortable that people slept on the floor and on inspection it was found the person’s mattress needed replacing. The person’s living arrangements did not maintain the person’s dignity, inspectors found.

Another person told inspectors that they did not feel staff listened to them or that they had control of their lives.

The home was also criticised for not involving people effectively in the running of the home.

The provider was served a warning notice and asked to put together a report setting out action they will take to meet standards.

A spokesman for Consensa said that the company and staff have put in an action plan to overcome concerns raised by the recent inspection.