Sidcup nursing home needs urgent improvements (From News Shopper)

Sidcup nursing home needs urgent improvements

11:27am Friday 5th October 2012 in News By Kelly Smale

A SIDCUP care home is at risk of closure if urgent improvements are not carried out, according to the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Dilip Tanna and Kirti Tanna, who own St Aubyns Nursing Home, in Priestlands Park Road, have been issued a formal warning following the inspection in July.

The CQC found the dignity of people living in the home was not always respected by care staff.

Residents who required support to eat were segregated from those who could eat independently and people with communication difficulties were not offered choices during mealtimes.

Inspectors observed when a resident spilt their food, they were told "that’s naughty" by a member of staff.

The same employee then attempted to feed someone who was very drowsy at the table despite their drowsy state.

Inspectors also found some staff showed a lack of respect for people in the home in their interactions with them and employees spoke to each other, rather than to the people they were caring for.

Deputy director of CQC in London, Matthew Trainer, said: "People living in care homes should be treated with respect and dignity at all times by those taking care of them. "It is disappointing this fundamental part of care was not always forthcoming at the home.

"Our inspectors will return in the near future to carry out another inspection. "If we find the home is not making the required progress we won’t hesitate to use our legal powers further to protect the people who use their services."

Dilip Tanna told News Shopper all required improvements have already been made and he is confident that when the regulator visits the home again they will be duly satisfied. 

He also confirmed a member of staff had been disciplined and provided with further training.

He said: "The warning is not in keeping with the renowned very high standard of care over the last 24 years of the same family ownership.

"The home received a three star rating at its previous CSCI Inspection as well as a high accolade in all aspects of the service from the Bexley Council Review carried out by councillors in February 2012."

He added: "The major part of the notice relates to communication and offering of choice at all times as part of dignity. "The home has made improvements by re-emphasizing the Dignity Policy and providing refresher training for all staff."

A Bexley Council spokeswoman said: "Since the CQC visit was carried out, Bexley’s Safeguarding and Contract Monitoring staff paid an unannounced visit to St Aubyns Nursing Home on 29 August 2012.

"They found the home to be staffed at an appropriate level, and residents were treated with respect and dignity.

"Residents interviewed were full of praise for the staff and the care they received and they were very complimentary about the food they received. The menu appeared to offer variety for residents.

"There were some minor general health and safety concerns which are being monitored."