A CARE home has been rated ‘inadequate’ and plunged into special measures following an inspection from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). 

The health watchdog visited Fern House, Bingley, which is run by Abbeyfield The Dales, in January as part of a focused inspection and raised a catalogue of concerns.

The two key questions of Safe and Well Led were inspected, with both rated ‘inadequate’. 

A report, which said “significant shortfalls” were found, outlined: “People were not safe.

"Systems for recording and monitoring accidents and incidents were unsafe as they did not accurately reflect what was happening in the service. Safeguarding procedures were not followed consistently.

"Risks to people were not assessed and managed. Medicines were not managed safely. Lessons were not learned when things went wrong. There was no system for calculating safe staffing levels and there were not always sufficient staff to keep people safe.”

It added: “There were continued breaches at this inspection with similarities to the issues found at the last inspection in relation to medicines, risk management and governance.

"There was a lack of consistent and effective leadership and an ineffective governance structure which meant the service was not appropriately monitored at manager or provider level.

"Effective systems were not in place to address shortfalls identified at the inspection and drive improvement.”

The report highlighted a number of issues including: staff did not always complete a form when people had fallen or were aggressive towards other people they lived with; people were having “multiple falls” - but there was no evidence of learning or action taken and people were at risk of scalding as hot water temperatures in some of the sinks and showers exceeded 44 degrees. 

The report said: “The provider had submitted notifications about some significant events to CQC. However, reporting of incidents and risks was unreliable and inconsistent.The provider did not always notify CQC of deaths, allegations of abuse and incidents of serious injury, which meant they did not fulfil their legal responsibility.”

However, inspectors said staff were recruited safely; people lived in a clean and pleasant environment and robust infection control procedures were in place which helped keep people and staff safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

They also said the provider was responsive to the inspection findings.

A spokesperson for Fern House said the inspection result was “very disappointing”, but added: “However we fully accept the CQC findings. The past 12 months has placed enormous stresses and strains on our staff, many of whom have made extraordinary sacrifices to maintain our services in providing support and care to our residents.

"However, we accept the need for improvement, and are determined to put things right, and have already introduced a number of changes to make this happen.”

The home said it is working with the CQC and Bradford Council “to ensure the standards of our record keeping and internal quality processes meet requirements and our residents’ needs” and that staff are “committed and united in their desire to push the levels of care quality, processes and record keeping beyond the statutory requirement”.