Care home where staff were suspended over abuse claims rated ‘requires improvement’

A home where nine staff were suspended earlier this year over abuse claims has been rated ‘requires improvement’ by the CQC.

The inspection of HC-One’s Ghyll Grove in Basildon, which was prompted by the abuse claims which are being investigated by police, was carried out in February.

The CQC found that safeguarding procedures were not fully embedded or followed and staff did not always respond appropriately to abuse.

Inspectors also found that information about risks to people’s safety was not consistently identified and recorded.

Comments about staff were variable with carers regularly feeling stretched and a task-focused rather person-centred culture found in the home.

The CQC added that the service was not always clean and hygienic and complaints and concerns were not investigated in a timely and transparent manner.

Am HC-One spokesperson said:  “The health and wellbeing of our residents is always our number one priority, and we take all feedback from the Care Quality Commission seriously.

“As was well reported at the time, this inspection took place immediately following serious allegations coming to light. These have been dealt with, but it did mean that when inspectors arrived the home was in a state of change. Their snapshot report should therefore be read in this context.”

HC-One said a dedicated project team had been based at the home since January providing targeted intervention to upskill colleagues, instil appropriate values and improve facilities.

The provider said the home was a “very different and far more positive place than it was at the time of the CQC visit several months ago”.