Care home offers unacceptable care, says watchdog

The level of care at Eastfield care home in Maidstone was described as "unacceptable"

A care home in Maidstone has been placed into special measures after an inspection found an "unacceptable" standard of care.

Eastfield, run by Bureaucom Limited, was rated inadequate overall after an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in October.

The body found "widespread shortfalls" at the home - which provides residential and dementia care - including problems with safety and care.

Eastfield said: "While we do not agree with all aspects of CQC's description of the service at the time of the inspection, we accept that improvements were required."

Staff at the home failed to treat the 43 residents with dignity, and ignored some who were "clearly distressed", the CQC's Kent and Sussex deputy director of operations Serena Coleman said.

Ms Coleman added: "The home was also dirty and we found faeces on people's bedding and bed frames, and soiled chairs in people's bedrooms.

"We heard some staff refer to incontinent residents as wetters, and when people's dignity was compromised in public areas staff didn't try to shield them from view."

Physical risks at Eastfield put residents at risk, the CQC found

The CQC report criticised the leadership, staffing levels, safeguarding measures, and training.

The building posed physical risks for the residents, including trip hazards, exposed nails and wiring.

The inspection did note some "kind" interactions between staff and residents but staff flagged they did not feel able to raise concerns.

Eastfield said in a statement it was "deeply disappointed" with the CQC's findings but have undertaken "significant" work since the inspection.

While the home is in special measures, it is not allowed to admit or re-admit residents without permission and will be under "close review" while improvements are made.

In a separate ruling, the CQC also placed home care agency Gillingham Road into special measures after it found it breached eight regulations, including measures which focused on dignity, safeguarding, and staffing.

The service cares for elderly, autistic and disabled adults with learning disabilities, and is run by Eunistar Health Consultant UK Limited.

The BBC has contacted Eunistar for comment.