South Tyneside Care Home Faces Special Measures Due to Care Shortfalls
Hebburn Court Nursing Home has been rated inadequate after a CQC inspection revealed serious care deficiencies
Hebburn, South Tyneside, Care Home, CQC, Dementia Care
Hebburn: A care home in South Tyneside is in hot water after being put into special measures. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found some serious issues during their inspection.
Hebburn Court Nursing Home got an inadequate rating, which is pretty concerning. They took this step to protect residents after a visit in October raised alarms about the care being provided.
This place can accommodate up to 55 people, many of whom have dementia. The inspection was prompted by whistleblower complaints about poor care and mishandled serious incidents.
The CQC pointed out some major gaps in care. For instance, staff couldn’t even find basic items like toothbrushes for residents with dementia. While most people felt safe and were generally happy, the report highlighted that care wasn’t up to scratch.
Some staff were kind, but it wasn’t consistent. Residents with dementia weren’t getting enough mental stimulation or activities to keep them engaged. They also missed out on basic needs like proper footwear and help with eating.
The report was pretty blunt, saying care wasn’t following best practices. Staff struggled to find toothbrushes for residents who needed them, which is just unacceptable.
After the inspection, the home’s ratings dropped significantly. Areas that were once rated good are now inadequate or require improvement. The CQC will keep a close eye on the home to ensure they make necessary changes.
Victoria Marsden from the CQC expressed disappointment over the decline in care quality. She mentioned that poor leadership contributed to these issues, putting residents at risk.
Care providers are supposed to report serious incidents, but that wasn’t happening at Hebburn Court. Some incidents weren’t reported at all, while others were delayed.
For example, one resident at risk of choking didn’t have staff with them during meals, which is a big no-no. There were also times when staff didn’t use safety equipment properly, which could lead to injuries.
Oral health care was another big issue. Staff couldn’t find toothbrushes for residents who needed help, meaning some might have gone days without brushing their teeth.
It was also concerning to see a lack of interaction between staff and residents. The home’s management didn’t provide enough activities or community engagement to help residents feel fulfilled.
The CQC has made it clear they expect quick improvements and will be monitoring the situation closely. They’ll return to check on progress and won’t hesitate to take further action if necessary.
Inspectors found several other issues, like unsafe medication handling and overdue safety inspections. Care plans weren’t accurate or up to date, and staff didn’t have enough time to read them.
Despite these problems, the home was generally clean, and most residents and their families were happy with the meals. The interim manager said they’ve increased staffing levels to address some of these concerns.
When contacted for a comment, Hebburn Court Care Home didn’t respond.