Dudley care home put in special measures over safety fears
A Dudley care home which failed to report it ‘deprived residents of their liberty’ has been placed in special measures after health inspectors rated it inadequate.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found Grazebrook Homecare, in Adshead Road, had not ensured the safety of seven people with learning and physical disabilities.
Its findings come after an inspection in February which rated safety and management as inadequate and care, responsiveness and efficiency as requiring improvement.
Inspectors said: “People told us they felt safe using the service but we found care and treatment was not always provided in a safe way. The provider had continued to fail to update care plans and risk assessments for people’s changing needs.
“The provider continues to fail to ensure people’s care plans and risk assessments contained accurate and up to date guidance.
“Risk to people was not identified therefore no plans were put in place, exposing people to harm.
“No action had been taken to reduce re-occurring risks. Analysis of incidents and accidents was not kept. There was a lack of good governance and oversight therefore, audits had not been completed since the last inspection.”
The company was also criticised for not informing Dudley Council when it had to deprive residents of their liberty for their own safety, and only did so after inspectors raised it with the management.
People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment when it is in their best interest and legally authorised under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
The commission has warned that improvements are not made, the home could be closed. The company will be re-inspected in six months.
Care manager at Grazebrook Homecare, Ikram Ulhaq, said they were working to address to issues raised in the CQC report.
He added: "I would like to start by saying we are a small local care company looking after vulnerable adults in the community for almost 23 years.
"We have a good reputation with authorities and relatives which we have never taken for granted. Our aim is to deliver the best possible care to our clients.
"We are working hard to address the issues highlighted in the recent CQC report and aim to get back to our best once again."
By George Makin, Local Democracy Reporter
