\n Friary House in Carlton Road North has been rated as ‘inadequate’ and placed it into special measures to protect people following an inspection in February and March.\n<\/p>\n
\n It had previously been graded as ‘good’ during an inspection in 2021.\n<\/p>\n
\n The care home, which provides\u00a0support to adults, some of whom are living with dementia, failed to follow safety rules and has been found to have breached five regulations in relation to\u00a0safe care and treatment, people\u2019s dignity, safeguarding, staffing, and management and oversight.\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n However, inspectors did find that\u00a0residents were treated with ‘kindness, empathy and compassion’.\n<\/p>\n
\n The care home will now be closely monitored to ensure people are safe whilst improvements are made and is required to take immediate action.\n<\/p>\n
\n Owners apologised and said they had already taken action to rectify issues highlighted by the CQC.\n<\/p>\n
\n Friary House in Carlton Road North (Image: Andy Jones)\n<\/p>\n
\n Neil Cox, CQC deputy director of operations in the south hit out at the care home saying it\u00a0‘failed to consistently support or protect the people in its care’.\n<\/p>\n
\n He added: “During our inspection, we found there were occasions where the service didn\u2019t prioritise people\u2019s well-being or safeguard their right to live free from abuse, harassment, discrimination, or neglect.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Opportunities to share concerns quickly and appropriately and work with healthcare partners were missed, placing people at risk.”\n<\/p>\n
\n During the inspection, inspectors found that staff didn\u2019t always recognise or report abuse in a timely manner and that investigations were delayed, procedures weren\u2019t followed, and past incidents were only disclosed because\u00a0inspectors had specifically asked for them.\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Cox added: “These failings could have exposed people to further harm.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThe service lacked basic systems to drive improvement. Incident records were kept in paper files and not reviewed through audits, meaning valuable learning opportunities were lost.”\n<\/p>\n
\n The home also failed to ensure staff were competent in vital areas like administering medication or assisting with mobility.\u00a0Likewise, the risk of choking, contractures or skin integrity breakdown were not effectively managed.\n<\/p>\n
\n Water hygiene risks, including those related to harmful bacteria such as legionella, hadn\u2019t been assessed or managed at the time of the\u00a0inspection either.\n<\/p>\n
\n Staff also lacked a safe way to give anonymous feedback, with one staff member telling inspectors\u00a0there weren\u2019t enough staff to provide safe care.\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Cox continued: \u201cEveryone deserves safe, high-quality care. It\u2019s unacceptable that people were being denied these basic rights due to leadership failures.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cWe\u2019ve told leaders at Friary House what urgent improvements are required, and we are monitoring the service closely to ensure people are protected. If these changes are not made swiftly and effectively, we will not hesitate to take further action.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Friary House is owned by Friary Care Limited.\n<\/p>\n
\n Owner\u00a0Peter Fry apologised and said that the home prides itself on ‘delivering the best possible care’ to its\u00a0residents.\n<\/p>\n
\n He added:\u00a0“That is why we would like to sincerely apologise that, as an outcome of a recent Care Quality Commission inspection, Friary House has been rated as inadequate.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Please be assured that Friary Care has already taken immediate action to rectify issues highlighted by CQC.\n<\/p>\n