Home slammed for 'unacceptable' elderly care

The home caters for people over 65 and with dementia

A care home for the elderly has been placed in special measures after inspectors found residents were receiving an "unacceptable" level of care.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated St Elizabeth care home in Woolston, Southampton, as inadequate following an inspection in March and said improvements had not been made after concerns were raised after a visit in 2024.

Inspectors found residents were not treated with dignity and respect and were put at risk of "avoidable harm".

In a statement, operators RG Care Homes Ltd said it was making "necessary improvements as a matter of urgency".

The inspection followed a previous visit in August 2024 when the CQC issued a warning about breaches of regulations over safeguarding and staffing.

The latest CQC report found the home had "failed to take meaningful action" to focus on specific improvements.

Among the issues highlighted was a stair lift being used instead of a hoist, putting residents at risk of injury.

'Risk of suffocation'

Shower water temperature was measured at 62°C and safety controls had not being added. The inspectors found one case of scalding.

Inspectors also found bed rails were not measured or checked properly, increasing the risk of injury or suffocation, while a communal bathroom and toilet was lacking a lock.

The report concluded that people in the home who were living with dementia had fewer activities and less chance to go out into the community, leaving them feeling "socially isolated".

Neil Cox, the CQC's deputy director of operations in Hampshire, said: "The quality of care we saw was unacceptable.

"People deserve to receive high-quality, person-centred care delivered by competent staff who can keep them safe.

"We'll continue to monitor this service closely to make sure people are safe while improvements are made."

The CQC has also placed the home into special measures, which involves close monitoring to ensure residents are safe while improvements are made.

It said it had also begun the process of taking regulatory action.

In a statement, RG Care Homes Ltd said it was working with the city council and care consultants on a "comprehensive action plan" to address issues raised by the CQC.

"We want to reassure residents, families, and staff that we are determined to restore confidence in the quality of care we provide," it added.