'Dirty' care home in special measures - CQC

Hunningley Grange on Doncaster Road in Barnsley has been placed into special measures

A care home in Barnsley has been placed into special measures after inspectors found conditions had worsened since a previous visit.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors rated Hunningley Grange on Doncaster Road as "inadequate", down from "requires improvement" following a previous inspection in July 2023.

They noted staff "worked hard" but safety concerns raised previously had not been addressed, with the home "visibly dirty which placed people at risk of infection".

H&L Care Ltd, which runs Hunningley Grange, declined to comment when approached by the BBC.

'Little engagement or conversation'

Hunningley Grange provides personal care to older adults, some of whom have dementia.

Alan Stephenson, CQC interim deputy director of operations in the North, said: "It was disappointing to see little engagement or conversation between staff and people.

"The home's leaders didn't provide stimulation, activities and community engagement to aid people's wellbeing and give them a sense of purpose.

"Staff were often rushed and didn't have time to sit and talk properly to people, this lack of time also resulted in less positive outcomes for the people who called Hunningley Grange home."

Mr Stephenson said staff "worked hard and treated people with kindness", but "some people looked unkempt, needed a shave and nail care, and wore stained clothing which is unacceptable".

The report noted a new manager was in post and was working on improvements, "but it was too early to see any real progress".

Mr Stephenson said: "It was positive, however, that staff felt improvements were under way to make the service a better and safer place for people to live.

"Many said they felt happier and less stressed now concerns were being addressed."

The CQC said it expected to see "rapid and continued improvements" and "won't hesitate to use (our)regulatory powers further if people aren't receiving the care they have a right to expect".

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.