CQC inspectors slam Fairmile Grange Care Home in Christchurch over ‘inadequate’ safety standards
The safety standards at a Christchurch care home have been labeled “inadequate” by government inspectors.
Fairmile Grange Home in Royal Close has been rated as “requires improvement” overall and in terms of being effective, caring, responsive, and well led.
Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors visited the home in July due to “concerns about people’s care and whether people were safeguarded from avoidable harm.”
Following the visit, the CQC issued a warning notice against the home’s operator Allegra Fairmile Grange Limited in August for “failing to meet the regulations concerning safe care and treatment, and good governance” at the home.
During their visit, inspectors found the home was in breach of three legal regulations relating to safeguarding, safe care and treatment, and good governance.
They wrote: “Safeguarding procedures were not always followed and therefore this had placed people at increased risk of harm. People were unlawfully deprived of their liberty.
“Where people, their relatives and staff raised concerns to the manager and provider these were not always investigated to ensure people were safe from harm.
“During the inspection, we observed both relatives and health professionals intervene in the care and support of people as they had identified risks to the person which the provider had failed to mitigate.
“Actions taken by the service had not been carried out with the required urgency and this had placed people at further risk of harm. The service had not always informed the CQC of events which had occurred within the service, as required by law.”
In response to the report, Allegra Care’s chief executive Helen Jones said: “Fairmile Grange is one of the newest additions to the Allegra Care portfolio. Since joining our family of homes, we’ve been addressing a number of historical issues and have already made significant improvements to strengthen care quality, staff development, and governance across the home.
“Following the most recent CQC inspection, which rated the home as requires improvement, we have taken all feedback on board and introduced a further layer of change and enhancement.
“This has included the appointment of a new highly experienced registered manager, strengthened clinical and operational oversight, and targeted investment in training, quality assurance, and the home’s environment.
“A follow-up visit from the CQC on 15th October provided positive feedback, recognising the substantial progress achieved in a short time.”
She added: “Allegra Care remains fully committed to ensuring that our team at Fairmile Grange delivers the highest standards of safe, compassionate, and person-centred care. We are confident that the improvements made are delivering lasting benefits for residents and their families.”