Care home placed in special measures

The Gables Care Home in Middlesbrough provides accommodation for up to 64 people

A care home has been put into special measures following an inspection.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated The Gables Care Home in Middlesbrough "inadequate", and took action to protect people following assessments in May and June.

Inspectors found issues including staff sleeping on shifts and staff not being trained in moving and handling people, which "could place them at risk of harm".

A spokesperson for the care home said it was "disappointed" with its report and it was "working hard to address the issues raised".

The Gables Care Home, run by T.L. Care Limited, provides accommodation, personal and nursing care for up to 64 people, some who are living with dementia.

The overall rating was downgraded from "requires improvement" to "inadequate" after Middlesbrough Council raised concerns about the "poor quality of people’s care plans".

CQC deputy director of operations in the north, Linda Hirst, said: "There was a risk that if a person was admitted to hospital, important information wouldn't be available, and we found hospital records hadn't been completed for most people."

The CQC said special measures included monitoring "to check sufficient improvements have been made".

The watchdog also said it was taking further regulatory action which it would report on when legally able to do so.

A statement from care home said it would continue to work with the CQC and Middlesbrough Council "to ensure the high standards of care our residents, their loved ones, and we expect".

It added: "Many of the issues raised are historical and not all of the findings were evident on the day of inspection.

"A new senior home manager has been working with the staff team within the home and we have seen significant improvements throughout the care home and these are ongoing."