Union demands over Bradford care home (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Union demands over Bradford care home

4:50pm Thursday 2nd July 2009

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A union is calling for an independent inquiry into a death at a Bradford care home for people with learning disabilities.

The plea comes after Weaver Court in Idle slipped to a zero-star rating, as reported in yesterday’s Telegraph & Argus, after inspectors said it offered poor service to its 19 residents.

A joint investigation into the death of a resident in November is being undertaken by Bradford District Care Trust, which runs the home, and Bradford Teach-ing Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, due to the involvement of Bradford Royal Infirmary in the person’s care. But Unison, the public sector union, is calling for an external probe to take place.

Steve Torrance, Unison regional organiser, said: “Our members were right to describe the conditions at Weaver Court as ‘chaotic’ due to the misplacement of vulnerable adults, including individuals transferred from specialist nursing care homes with different needs and chronic under-staffing.

“However we feel some concerns are being swept under the carpet, especially those involving the recent deaths, and confidence will only be restored following an independent inquiry.”

The care home was examined by the Care Quality Commission in April, and as a result dropped to a zero-star rating when the report was published yesterday.

Since the inspection in April, a further unannounced visit has been carried out by CQC inspectors, and the results are expected to be made public shortly.

Simon Large, chief executive of the Care Trust, said this report showed staff had turned the home around in ten weeks and that all the requirements had now been met.

It also emerged earlier this year that three residents at the home died over a six-month period last year. The first was found by the coroner to be from natural causes and the second was linked to ongoing health problems. The third is still being investigated, and it is this death that Unison wants to be looked into independently.

Mr Large described Unison’s call for an independent inquiry as “inappropriate and unhelpful” at this stage.

He said: “All deaths, of whatever cause, are reported into the risk management team at Bradford District Care Trust.

“When a service user dies the care will be reviewed in accordance with good practice, to identify any learning for improvements in care. This is a very thorough process.”

The Council’s Labour group has also backed the calls, with both Councillor Ian Greenwood, the group’s leader, and Councillor Paul Flowers, the spokesman for adult services, speaking out.

Coun Flowers, said: “I believe that a transparent, independent and public inquiry which is seen to deal with all the issues is needed if the public are to have confidence in the conclusions.”

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