Owner Peter Coleman, 70, said the requires improvement rating from the Care Quality Commission was “brutal” and “unfair” towards Seahorses Care Home, based in Chiseldon.
As of Monday, June 30, it is closed for good after more than two decades following the inspection between February 14 and March 10, which identified concerns over patient safety and staff training.
One section of the CQC report reads: “At this inspection, we found risks were still not always identified or managed safely, which placed people at risk of harm. Staff were still not recruited safely in line with the providers policy and legislation.
The care home. (Image: Rightmove)
Peter Coleman (Image: Supplied) “People’s medicines were not managed safely. Systems and processes to ensure people received safe care were still not always effective. Staff had completed a wide variety of training relevant to their role, which was an improvement since the last inspection.
“However, staff had not completed training in supporting people with modified diets, despite some people receiving these to prevent choking or aspiration. However, there was a positive culture at the service which promoted dignity and respect.”
Seahorses were inspected last February and were told that improvements were necessary following a strong smell of urine, being unable to provide the CQC with a copy of the service’s fire risk assessment and staff not knowing that one patient who could “choke easily” was at risk of choking.
A report from June 4, 2024, stated: “Some areas of the home had a strong smell of urine. The medicines room was also being used as a staff storage area and a staff toilet.
“We observed a box of lancets that were slightly open, stored right next to the open door of a staff toilet.
“This was an infection control risk due to a risk of cross-contamination when staff used the toilet.”
The former dementia care home has now been listed for sale at £750,000 said to be “suitable for a variety of care categories’ or a ‘potential redevelopment opportunity”.
The property was built in the 1950s, and in 2009, a modern five-bedroom extension was added, with a total capacity for 20 clients in 18 bedrooms, 15 with en-suites.
There’s also a three-bedroom self-contained flat on the top floor previously used as the owners’ accommodation, which was recently used to house the manager’s officers and training room.