A care home has been condemned as inadequate after a host of standards breaches were uncovered.

Harriets, in Distington, will remain in special measures after inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) ruled that insufficient progress has been made since its last review.

In handing the Main Street home an overall “inadequate” rating in the report, inspectors found six services that are now in breach of the Health and Social Care Act, and a further service that remains in breach. Criticisms include:

  • Failures in managing the risks related to infection control, medication, health and safety and falls
  • Consent was not always appropriately sought prior to care and support being given
  • Not every resident given suitable levels of support to access good nutrition
  • A number of problems related to security, maintenance and improvement
  • People could not go safely outside because of a lack of garden furniture, uneven paving, overgrown gardens and a missing fence next to the road
  • Care plans did not always meet needs or preferences
  • Staff need further support to develop in their roles

The home’s management, Roseberry Care Centres Ltd, has expressed disappointment at the grading and says work is underway to improve services.

Harriets was plunged into special measures – and issued a warning notice – by the CQC in January after four breaches were discovered relating to governance, staffing levels, risk management and the environment.

This most recent follow-up inspection, in July, found “there was not enough improvement to take the provider out of special measures” and it will remain under review to monitor progress. If none is made, the CQC can begin enforcement action that can include varying, or even cancelling, the home’s registration.

Inspectors reported, however, that residents reported feeling safe.

The report added: “Staff had a good working knowledge of how to protect vulnerable people from harm and how to report any potential safeguarding.”

Staffing levels are also said to have improved.

Bob McDonald, managing director (operations) at Roseberry, responded: “We are disappointed at receiving a grading of ‘inadequate’. We will be working closely with residents, relatives, the CQC and other partner agencies to ensure standards improve.

“We have a new manager in post who is receiving significant support from the organisation in improving the service at Harriets.”

Harriets has had a controversial recent history. In 2010, it was banned from taking on new residents following a critical inspection report. In 2012, the CQC ordered it to improve after failings in a number of areas. And in 2014, it was given an improvement notice after an infectious outbreak struck down more than half of the residents.