'State-of-the-art' care centre in special measures

Falls, incidents, accidents and allegations of abuse were not effectively analysed to learn lessons, the care watchdog said

A council-managed care facility, billed as "state of the art" when it opened a year ago, has been placed in special measures following its first inspection.

Sister Winifred Laver Promoting Independence Centre in Gateshead supports people recovering from illness or injury, as well as adults living with dementia.

An unannounced inspection, which came off the back of whistleblowing concerns over poor medicines management and poor care, found the service was "not safe", the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said.

Gateshead Council and Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust said steps had been taken to improve the service, which had been "under significant pressure" over the winter.

The overall rating for the service, as well as the areas of safe and well-led were rated as inadequate. The areas of caring, responsive and effective were rated as requires improvement.

A warning notice has also been issued to focus attention on "making significant improvements around the management of the service".

'Regular medicines errors'

The centre, based in Felling, supports hospital leavers and those admitted from the community to gain independence, and up to 60 people can be housed there at any one time.

It officially opened in March 2024 following almost three years of preparations, including "investment in innovative care technologies" to support residents "to thrive independently".

At the time, the Labour-led council said it would become "the only one of its kind in Gateshead, allowing residents to receive exceptional care at one state-of-the art site".

Because the centre is now in special measures it will be kept under close review by the CQC

During the 5 February inspection, the CQC said it had found "significant shortfalls" in the quality and safety of people's care.

In a recent survey, inspectors said staff thought mistakes were "often made due to them being over-stretched", which placed people at risk of harm.

There were incidents which were either not reported to local authority safeguarding teams in a timely way or not reported at all, the CQC said. Some had resulted in people being injured, inspectors added.

Staff also told inspectors about "regular medicines errors", which had not been reported appropriately.

Falls, incidents, accidents and allegations of abuse were not effectively analysed to learn lessons, the CQC said.

'Very disappointing'

The service, named after Sister Winifred Laver, who dedicated her life to charitable work in Gateshead, is managed by Gateshead Council and delivered in partnership with Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust.

A joint statement said "several important steps" had been taken to "address concerns raised", including staff training and development, and to ensure medication processes "were amended".

"We know these findings are very disappointing and we're working hard to address the issues," it said.

It added that new ways of working were still being "embedded" at the facility.

"While we have received excellent feedback on the care offered at the centre, like the wider system, it has been under significant pressure - especially over winter.

"We will continue to listen, learn, and improve so that we can provide the best care for our residents."