'Concerning' care home placed in special measures

Anchor House on Avenue Road was previously rated good overall

A care home which put people at risk of harm has been placed into special measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Anchor House in Doncaster, which provides personal care to residents with dementia, has been rated inadequate overall and told it is not safe, effective, responsive, caring or well-led.

Alan Stephenson, CQC deputy director in the north, said: "It was concerning to see that poor leadership and ineffective risk management had led to people being placed at [risk of] harm in a place they call home."

Authentic Care Services Limited, which runs the site, has been contacted for a comment.

Mr Stephenson said: "One person hadn't been to the dentist since 2021. When staff had taken people to appointments, nothing had been recorded in their care plans.

"The home had a very task-focused culture which was routine and transactional rather than innovative and supportive to ensure people's wellbeing."

Many areas in the care home were not well maintained and some armchairs in the lounge were "dirty and in need of deep cleaning," according to the inspectors.

Risks relating to water, medication and infection prevention and control were not effectively managed, which put people at risk of harm, the report said.

'Poor leadership'

It stated leaders did not have the skills, knowledge or credibility to "understand what good care looks like" and lead effectively.

A person who was blind said staff "don't understand" about their impairment.

"I have been hurt a couple of times when they have said 'come this way' instead of the way I know," they said.

"They don't keep things in the same places, and I never know what time it is."

Another resident said they would have liked to get out of the home more, as they had "been out with one carer, but we don't get out a lot".

Staff also did not always report safeguarding incidents to the relevant authorities, although some concerns had been raised to the CQC.

"They didn't feel able to speak up internally, and when they had, their concerns weren't dealt with which is totally unacceptable," Mr Stephenson added.

The CQC issued the home on Avenue Road with warning notices following the inspection, and said the site would be kept under close review to ensure it is improving.

It was previously rated good in four out of five key categories, and good overall.

A spokesperson for Anchor House said: "We acknowledge the findings of the recent inspection and are treating them with the utmost seriousness. The care, safety, and wellbeing of our residents are at the heart of everything we do, and we remain fully committed to meeting the high standards expected by regulators, residents, and their families.

"Since the inspection, we have taken immediate steps t-o begin addressing the concerns raised, including enhanced staff training, strengthened quality assurance processes and leadership reviews. We are working closely with the CQC and local authorities to implement a clear and structured improvement plan.

"We are determined to make the necessary changes to move forward positively and responsibly."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North