Care home watchdog lays bare a raft of failures at Leeds and Wakefield facilities

Hundreds of elderly and vulnerable people at West Yorkshire care facilities entrusted with looking after our loved ones are experiencing wholly “inadequate” support.

Today, we reveal the 10 worst performing care homes in Leeds and Wakefield as it emerges that around half of all facilities in our region are failing according to a national health watchdog.

A YEP analysis has found that of the 190 residential and nursing homes in our area that have been inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), none have been rated as ‘outstanding’.

There are 10 ‘inadequate’ homes, which have all been put into special measures, and another 80 ‘require improvement’.

The rest, around 100, are rated ‘good’.

Homes are regularly inspected by the CQC and given one of four ratings – outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

Inadequate homes are reinspected within six months and, if standards have not improved, can be shut down immediately.

ASHCROFT HOUSE - LEEDS, BRAMHOPE

People were not asked to give their consent to treatment, care or support and inspectors found a lack of activity and stimulation at Ashcroft House.

The facility, which provides care for up to 32 people including some with dementia, was rated as inadequate in three of five inspection areas by the CQC although it was deemed to be offering a caring service.

Medicines were not always managed consistently or safely, so one resident was put at risk of unnecessary harm from medication that was not listed in their records.

A review of care records also found that although some people were deemed to lack the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves, there was no evidence to show that this had been assessed.

Dawn Barrie, care home manager at Ashcroft House, said: “We were obviously very disappointed with our last rating and have worked hard over the last six months to ensure that we meet and exceed CQC standards.

“Following the inspection we presented an action plan to CQC detailing the improvements we would make along with time scales. CQC were happy with this plan and I am pleased to say that all aspects of it have now been implemented.”

Last inspection report: October 2015

ASHLANDS, METHLEY

Staff showed a “lack of respect” for people who used Ashlands care home and staff routines took priority, according to CQC inspectors.

It was discovered that the home, which is run by Roche Healthcare, was not issuing medicines correctly, with one resident not receiving their medicines on 20 occasions due to being asleep.

Medicines were not always available because they had run out, 10 people were given medication without their knowledge and some were given liquid food supplements they had not been prescribed.

One resident told inspectors that they did not feel safe, residents were not moved correctly – one was pulled by their clothes – and most sat for most of the day with little stimulation or interaction.

When contacted by the YEP, nobody from Ashlands was available for comment.

But following the inspection, Roche Healthcare said: “This is the first time the CQC has produced a report of this nature on Ashlands and we would like to reassure all relatives of residents that we are committed to working with the CQC and local authority to keep the health and welfare of our residents a priority.”

Last inspection report: January 2016

DONISTHORPE HALL, SHADWELL LANE, LEEDS

Deemed inadequate in three out of five areas, inspectors reported that Donisthorpe Hall was “not safe”.

At the home, which can cater to up to 189 residents, staff were not adequately trained – with none of the 250-plus staff having completed training on the safe handling of medication.

Hardly any staff had completed food hygiene courses, 14 per cent were fully trained in dementia awareness and barely one-third had relevant health and safety qualifications.

When contacted by the YEP, nobody from Donisthorpe Hall was available for comment.

In a statement issued last year, the home’s chief operating officer said a new home manager had been appointed as well as a pharmacist to support a new “medication management system” that had been put in place.

She said that issues highlighted in the inspection had since been addressed.

Last inspection report: November 2015

WOODHOUSE HALL, EAST ARDSLEY

One bed made by staff at Woodhouse Hall care home had clearly visible dried faeces on the duvet and duvet cover during a CQC inspection.

Staff were being asked to sleep on a “heavily soiled mattress” when stopping over at the care home for up to 19 people with learning disabilities and, in general, workers felt management was “not effective”.

Inspectors reported that the home delivered inconsistent care, lacked enough experienced staff to keep people safe and did not give some people the one-to-one support they were promised.

The Priory Group, which runs Woodhouse Hall, explained that it is recruiting a new general manager, has increased staff numbers and improved training as it has “worked very hard to address all the points raised”.

A spokeswoman said: “Our action plan has been driven by rigorous and expert-led internal inspections, as our residents remain our highest priority.”

Last inspection report: February 2016

BURLEY HALL NURSING HOME, BURLEY-IN-WHARFEDALE

Poor staffing levels meant that the needs of older people at the facility were not being met.

A total of six breaches of regulations relating to staff, medicines, complaints, safeguarding, person-centred care and quality assurance were identified by inspectors and warning notices were issued.

Inspectors found the service was not safe due to insufficient staffing levels, people’s weight, nutritional and hydration needs were not being monitored and residents did not always receive person-centred care.

A spokeswoman for Bupa, which runs the home, said: “We have taken immediate action to address the issues raised by the CQC.

“We have improved our incident analysis process, audited care plans and reviewed our records to ensure all staff have received up-to-date training.

She added: “We are committed to making all the required improvements and meeting the standards. The health and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority.”

Last inspection report: January 2016

CARR GATE, WAKEFIELD

Poor quality food, insufficient numbers of staff and poorly stocked first aid kits filled with out of date materials were found at Carr Gate.

Inspectors were told of residents falling at the home, which provides nursing and residential care for up to 65 people, while workers on an understaffed unit were called to other areas.

Strong odours were also noted in some areas due to a lack of available cleaning staff and one worker was not seen to be following hygiene practices when they fed a resident food that had dropped on to the floor.

Staff did not feel supported or valued. The home was rated inadequate in three of the five inspection areas.

A spokesperson for HC One, which runs the home, said: “We are confident this report is no longer an accurate reflection on the quality of care being provided at the home.

“Over the past seven months, with the support of the local authority, we have made significant positive progress. We are fully compliant with Wakefield Council’s care quality standards, and look forward to showing the improvements we have made to the CQC, with our next inspection due shortly. Nothing is more important to us than delivering high quality, kind care.”

Last inspection report: October 2015

ASTON MANOR, DEWSBURY

Strong offensive odours were present in parts of this 32-bed care home, which was deemed inadequate in all five inspection areas.

CQC inspectors found that although some staff were caring, some residents did not appear well cared for – some wearing dirty clothes and others left unshaved.

Staffing levels did not meet people’s needs, the communal areas were left unattended for long periods of time and some residents spent a lot of time sat in their chairs with little interaction.

Meal times were poorly organised and people with diabetes did not receive “sufficient support” for their dietary needs.

When contacted by the YEP, nobody from Mauricare, which runs Aston Manor, was available for comment.

But in an earlier statement the firm said: “We see it pretty much a work in progress as we continue with our plan to rebuild and making the home a better place to live.

“We remain grateful to all our partners for support and understanding to date. As a provider we see safety and wellbeing of our residents as paramount.”

Last inspection report: December 2015

CROFT HOUSE CARE HOME, OSSETT

People living at Croft House Care Home were not being treated with dignity or respect, according to CQC inspectors.

The facility, which cares for up to 66 people, was rated inadequate in all areas – it was not responsive, well-led, safe, effective or caring – and breached 17 legal health and care requirements.

Staff were too busy to meet people’s needs, there was no registered manager at the time of inspection and residents were left bored and isolated, while their dietary needs were not always met.

Care plans were out of date, some bathing equipment was “heavily stained with faeces” and people’s independence was “restricted” by the home’s practices.

Debbie Daniels, a manager at the home, said: “Senior managers are supporting staff at Croft House in order to ensure that the necessary improvements are made and sustained.

“We are confident that we have made the necessary improvements and look forward to demonstrating this to the CQC at the next visit.”

Last inspection report: March 2016

BRANTWOOD HALL CARE HOME, WAKEFIELD

Carpets heavily stained in faeces and toilets and commodes that were soiled were among the hygiene concerns highlighted by inspectors at this facility.

The Wakefield town centre home, which houses up to 60 people, was deemed not to have enough staff to meet residents’ needs during a visit by the CQC.

Care records were found to be inaccurate and one resident who was shouting out, asking for a drink, appeared to have received no fluid since the previous day.

This resulted in Brantwood Hall, which was then run by Winnie Care, being deemed inadequate in all five inspection areas.

At the time the firm said issues had since been rectified or were being corrected but following the inspection it was announced that Winnie Care had gone into administration in August 2015.

The home is now being run by Roseberry Healthcare Management on behalf of administrators Mazars.

Nobody from Roseberry was available for comment when contacted by the YEP.

Last inspection report: April 2015

ATTLEE COURT, NORMANTON

Just one member of staff was available to help 16 elderly residents during a night when inspectors visited Attlee Court.

The nursing home’s lack of staff was deemed a serious concern by the CQC as well as the fact that one staff member was seen shouting at an upset dementia patient.

One relative also told inspectors that staff had been putting DVDs on for their family member to watch – despite them being blind.

Areas of the home were visibly dirty and standards of hygiene and infection control were poor.

A spokesman for Minster Care Group, which runs the home, said the inspection provided only a “limited snapshot of the home at a specific time” and that it is now keenly awaiting further inspection.

He said: “A comprehensive action plan has been developed and implemented. This has already made marked improvements to areas highlighted by the CQC.

“Major refurbishment work has also been carried out at the home and the management team has been significantly strengthened.”

Last inspection report: February 2016