The Northampton Chronicle & Echo reports that Redruth Nursing Home in Upton and Cedarwood Nursing Home in Kettering Road cannot now take in new residents because of concerns with ‘the environment, facilities, infection control, record keeping and nursing competencies.’
Cedarwood Nursing Home was warned by the CQC that they had to make improvements within a given timescale at its most recent inspection on 7th December 2013. Redruth Nursing Home failed all the required core standards in a CQC inspection in October 2013 in the areas of respect, needs, protection from harm, staffing levels and management.
In light of the CQC inspections, Northamptonshire County Council and NHS Neene (the Clinical Commissioning Group responsible for the majority of the local healthcare budget for most of Northamptonshire) have jointly suspended Redruth and Cedarwood Nursing Homes.
Five elderly people who had been taken to hospital were stopped from returning to Redruth Nursing Home and police are also investigating the death of an 87-year-old woman in summer 2013. The manager of Cedarwood recently left the home, which recruited a replacement clinical lead. However, that new recruit was a registered mental health nurse and according to NHS Neene that caused ‘some difficulties with clinical care knowledge and direction of staff.’
The County Council and NHS Neene have also restricted the registration of both establishments, reducing the maximum number of people they can care for. More residents will need to be moved into alternative accommodation and regular monitoring visits and risk assessments on the remaining elderly people resident at both establishments are now taking place.
Commenting on developments, Veronica Male, a Chartered Legal Executive with Shoosmiths Shoosmiths specialising in care home abuse and neglect cases, said:
“It’s difficult enough for family members if they merely suspect a vulnerable relative is being poorly treated. When that suspicion is confirmed by such a damming CQC report and action by local health authorities, as is the case here, making a strong complaint is the very least they should consider.”
Many relatives will be worried about the safety of those residents still at these homes and others concerned about where those who must now leave will be placed. Veronica advises that anyone concerned about their family members should contact the Adult Safeguarding Team at Northampton County Council or call them on 0300 126 1000 to raise those concerns.
She adds:
“We can investigate claims for compensation if your relatives have been neglected. In cases where that neglect causes actual harm (e.g. if your relative was not given or encouraged to drink fluids and so became dehydrated or had to be treated in hospital for preventable conditions such as bed sores) it is worth family and friends pursing compensation.”
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. © Shoosmiths LLP 2024
