Bodmin Care Home Rated Inadequate After Serious Concerns Raised

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St Petroc’s Care Home in Bodmin has been rated inadequate and placed in special measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection in September. The care home, which is run by Stonehaven (Healthcare) Ltd, provides personal and residential care for up to 30 older people, including those with physical disabilities.

Concerns Spark Urgent CQC Action

The inspection was prompted in part by an incident where a person using the service died. CQC has stated that information shared with them indicated potential concerns regarding how the home managed the risks associated with unplanned restraint.

While the details of the incident remain under further investigation, CQC’s findings from the inspection led to immediate regulatory action. St Petroc’s has been issued with four warning notices to force urgent improvements in areas including:

• Safe care and treatment
• Consent to care
• Safeguarding
• Overall management of the service

Disturbing Reports of Staff Conduct

Catherine Campbell, deputy director of operations for CQC in the south, highlighted serious leadership failings at St Petroc’s, stating:

“When we inspected St Petroc’s Care Home, we found it did not have strong leadership. This was exposing people to a risk of abuse and harm because they didn’t ensure staff had the skills and training necessary to meet the needs of people living there.”

Among the most alarming findings were reports of staff bullying, concerns about injury records being minimised or mis-recorded, and a “closed culture” where those who spoke out faced discrimination.

“Residents told inspectors they saw staff bullying others in communal areas. Vulnerable people were relying on all staff members to act as their advocates, to help them live their best lives, and it is unacceptable the people they relied on were treating them this way,” said Catherine.

Further concerns were raised about discrimination against a visually impaired resident and staff delivering personal care without obtaining proper consent.

Unsafe Practices and Poor Conditions

Inspectors identified several failings in the standard of care provided, including:

• Staff providing personal care in bathrooms with the door open
• A lack of confidence among staff that concerns would be investigated
• Inadequate staffing levels at night, with only two staff members on duty for 23 residents
• Reports of ongoing conflict between the registered manager and previous deputy manager
• Residents being given frayed, cut-up towels to use as flannels during personal care
• Poorly maintained risk assessments and care plans
• Incomplete staff training across the service
• Residents feeling excluded from decisions about their own care

Following the inspection, the registered manager left the service.

What Happens Next?

St Petroc’s Care Home has now been placed in special measures, meaning it will be closely monitored by CQC. If rapid and widespread improvements are not made, further regulatory action may follow.

CQC’s full report will be published on their website in the coming days.

Photo: Google