A CARE home boss says she does not agree with a report which said the home displayed “widespread and significant” shortcomings in its leadership.
Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have deemed Nayland Lodge, which has been in special measures since December 2022, to be “inadequate”, a report published on Monday reveals.
The CQC said the people it spoke with “were satisfied with the service” but the inspectors felt residents “did not lead fulfilling and meaningful everyday lives that promoted their wellbeing”.
This is because they did not receive the right support to maximise their independence, the report added.
The inspection focused on two areas – safety and leadership – which were both rated “inadequate”.
It found there was no policy in place offering guidance on how to manage “escalating behaviour” despite a previous inspection finding “a high number of incidents requiring police intervention”.
Inspectors also criticised the care home for securing its fire evacuation emergency grab bag to the wall with a combination lock which took “several minutes to unlock”.
Once it was unlocked, the CQC found it didn’t contain essential equipment like a first aid kit or torches.
Why could Nayland Lodge close?
The CQC says the maximum time for adult social care services to be in special measures is usually “no more than 12 months”.
Enforcement action, including the cancellation of a care provider’s registration, can be taken if any area of a reinspection receives the damning grading.
Sarah Reed, director of Reed Care Services which runs Nayland Lodge, feels her team’s hard work has gone unnoticed.
She said: “I don't agree with the CQC report and the improvements made within the service were not acknowledged.
“Staffing levels are consistent and residents all have fulfilling and meaningful lives.
“We continue to improve the service on a daily basis and are confident the people within our care are all happy and well looked after.”
She thanked the neighbouring community for supporting the care home and for making its residents “feel included and valued”.
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