Watchdog orders improvements at Newbury Park care home after report finds failings

A Newbury Park care home has been ordered to make improvements by a health watchdog after a report found failings in care, consent, welfare, monitoring service quality and handling complaints.

Perrymans, in Abbey Road, houses five people with severe learning disabilities.

A routine inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) last month found it met only two out of six standards.

According to the report, staff were seen using “infantilising language and actions” to a resident, including patting them on the head.

The resident did not leave the home but daytime activities were organised for the others.

Inspectors also found that staff were not always assessing people’s mental capacity to make decisions or updating support plans.

There was also no “effective” complaints procedure in place.

But the home had fixed damaged flooring that was highlighted as a safety risk in a previous inspection.

Operator MCCH, which runs services for people learning disabilities, autism or mental health problems across the south east, was ordered to set out what action they will take by July 12.

Chief executive Peter Thompson said an internal audit had “highlighted similar areas of improvement”.

He added: “I am disappointed that the actions were not completed in the time we had stipulated and we are working with the staff and new management team to ensure this does not happen again.

“I am confident that we will make all the improvements required, ensuring that we continue to provide the residents with the best level of care.”

Two other Redbridge care services recently inspected by the CQC met all standards.

No action was ordered at Tomswood Lodge, in Tomswood Hill, or at Enara, based in Woodford Green, which provides in-home care workers.

The watchdog is currently inspecting The Chestnuts Nursing and Dementia Care Home, in Cambridge Park, Wanstead, after concerns were raised.