Probe at new £3.5m care home (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Probe at new £3.5m care home

7:00am Thursday 6th August 2009 in News By Kathie Griffiths

Bosses of a £3.5m nursing home have launched a ‘full investigation’ after concerns about residents’ care have been raised only three months after it opened.

The investigation was sparked when worries about care there were raised by a resident’s family.

Crossley House, in Thornton Road, Fairweather Green opened its doors in May after being purpose-built by Gateshead-based Hadrian Healthcare, creating 50 new jobs.

Officials from Bradford Council’s Adult and Community Services team have been alerted and are waiting to see the findings that will be handed over at the end of the healthcare group’s own inquiry.

A copy of the report will also go to the family and to the nursing and care home watchdog Care Quality Commission.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: “We take such concerns very seriously and will ensure the outcomes addressed in the report are shared with the relevant agencies and responded to appropriately.”

A spokesman at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said although the Fairweather Green home had registered with it, it had not been inspected or given a rating – it can take up to six months before a new home is visited by CQC inspectors.

Once inspections are carried out, the Commission has the power to enforce any recommendations made and can serve legal notices which can result in the de-registration of homes – potentially closing them down.

Hadrian Healthcare’s website says it is “currently carrying out and planning a number of exciting new developments within the North of England” – the Bradford care centre is one of its latest to open.

The website continues: “These projects will create the most modern and innovative elderly care centres where residents will enjoy not only the highest standards of accommodation but also benefit from the uniquely high levels of care for which Hadrian Healthcare are universally recognised for providing.”

When the Telegraph & Argus contacted Crossley House and spoke to its manager about the investigations, she said: “It’s news to me. We don’t know anything about an investigation. If you find out more, let us know.”

However, Jas Gill who is a director of Hadrian Healthcare later issued a statement which read: “I can confirm that a complaint has been made and a full investigation is being carried out by ourselves.”

He refused to give details of the family’s concerns.