A care home near Dorchester has been placed into special measures after it was branded ‘inadequate’ by a government health watchdog.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors raised serious concerns about Chestnut House Nursing Home in Charlton Down following an unannounced inspection in October 2017.

A previous inspection in April 2017 saw the nursing home rated 'good'. 

The service, which is run by London Residential Healthcare Limited (also known as LRH Homes), has been ordered to make drastic changes in the next six months or risk being stripped of its licence.

Chestnut House is registered to provide accommodation and residential and nursing care for up to 85 older people. At the time of the inspection the service was providing residential care to 48 older people, some of whom were living with a dementia. 

Prior to the inspection, the CQC received information of concern about staffing levels and standards of care.

Inspectors said most staff had a friendly and relaxed way of communicating with people, however not all people were treated with dignity, respect and care.

The report said eight out of 10 relatives raised concerns about how people were being cared for. 

One person told inspectors they had been treated roughly by two members of staff with one relative saying they had witnessed a member of staff being rough with someone. 

The report added that allegations of neglect had been made against two members of staff. The allegations included these staff not responding to a call bell, people not being supported to drink, one person left in soiled clothes and someone at risk of pressure sores not being repositioned.

The CQC reported the allegations to the local safeguarding authority. 
Following the inspection, two members of staff had resigned and one member of staff had been dismissed after incidents at the home.

There were five allegations of neglect in July 2017 that the registered manager had been made aware of but had not reported to the safeguarding authority or CQC.

Inspectors found that arrangements were in place for the safe storage of medicines, however the management of medicines was not "consistently safe" and advice from healthcare professionals was not always followed.

Concerns were also raised about staffing levels and training.

The report read: "Staff, relatives and visiting healthcare professionals told us there were not enough staff to meet people's needs. Concerns included people not being supported to maintain their personal hygiene, being neglected, people not supported to drink and delays in support with continence care."

One relative said to inspectors: "I was there for six hours the other day and not once did [their relative] get taken to the toilet."

The nursing home will be under review for six months.

New manager and investment announced

LRH-Homes’ managing director Arnon Rubinstein said he was "disappointed" with the outcome of the unannounced inspection last October and immediate action has been taken.

Since the inspection a new home manager, Carl Bradley, is now in post. Mr Rubinstein said Mr Bradley is an experienced manager, with exceptional communication skills and a passion for quality person centred care and in particular dementia care.

He is well regarded in the industry and has spoken at a Dementia UK conference and is leading the team to make the necessary improvements to the service.

Mr Rubinstein said the care home is working openly and honestly with CQC, and a shared action plan includes; improvements to CQC notifications, refresher training, staff support and supervisions. 

He said he is confident the team at the home can build on the positive comments made in the report, such as the strong social opportunities staff provided like painting, singing and talking about the news.

He added: "The company values of care, comfort and compassion are at the heart of everything we do every day in all of our homes.

"We are heavily investing in the home in line with a programme that had been planned before the recent CQC inspection."