Inadequate care home in special measures

Woodlands Lodge Care Home in Barnsley is now being closely monitored by the CQC

A care home has been rated as inadequate after it was found residents had to wait 45 minutes to use the toilet and were forced to use broken hoists and rusty shower chairs.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said Woodlands Lodge Care Home in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was so untidy it posed a fire risk and the building's strong odour made it an "unpleasant place to live".

The residential care home has 24 people living there and has been put into special measures and will be closely monitored to ensure improvements are made, the CQC said.

The home has been contacted by the BBC for comment.

The home has been put in special measures after a CQC inspection last month

An unannounced inspection took place in October following concerns from Barnsley Council about residents' safety and the quality of care being provided.

Alan Stephenson, CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said: “When we inspected Woodlands Lodge, it was disappointing to see a home that wasn’t well managed which was reflected in their culture and resulted in people being placed at risk of harm and not receiving proper care."

Other issues raised by inspectors including residents at risk of falling being left unsupported for "long periods of time" and no care plans were put in place at mealtimes for those at risk of choking.

Although given an overall rating of inadequate the home was given a good rating for the area of caring and effectiveness.

'Poorly maintained'

“Woodlands was supposed to be a place that people call home, and we found the whole building was poorly maintained and unclean, with several environmental risks that could place people at harm," Mr Stephenson said.

Inspectors also found staff had not been recruited safely, there was a lack of positive culture and residents did not think there was enough staff to support them safely.

Furthermore, it was found "leaders did not ensure lessons were learned when things went wrong".

Woodlands Lodge Care Home will be kept under close review by the CQC.

"We have told leaders where we expect to see rapid, and widespread improvements," Mr Stephenson said.

"We will return to check on their progress and won’t hesitate to use our regulatory powers further if people aren’t receiving the care they have a right to expect.”

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