Nursing home rated 'inadequate' by care watchdog

A nursing home that looks after people with dementia and other needs has been rated as inadequate by a watchdog following concerns raised by whistleblowers.

Baylham Care Centre in Baylham, near Ipswich, was assessed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in the summer.

Inspectors said they had identified five breaches of regulations after incidents involving distressed residents, a failure to investigate some safeguarding concerns and a "significant lack of oversight".

The home, which has been placed into special measures, said it was aware of areas it had "fallen short" and had put a "robust improvement plan" in place prior to the inspection.

Baylham Care Centre provides accommodation, nursing and personal care for up to 55 people.

A report into the home was published on Thursday, with inspectors saying it was done "in response to a number of concerns we received from whistleblowers, relatives and partner agencies".

Baylham Care Centre looks after up to 55 older people

They said that when there were incidents, there was a failure to notify CQC as is legally required, and "people were not always protected from harm, nor were people safely monitored or supported".

The report stated that people at the care home were not always protected from abuse and improper treatment, and there were concerns around medicine management, staff deployment and record keeping.

Although some residents' relatives had expressed satisfaction with the service, inspectors said "care did not meet the expected standards".

Communication, culture and atmosphere were raised as concerns by some relatives, and there was a high turnover of staff.

The report added: "However, people and relatives did give positive feedback for most of the individual care staff, stating they were for the most part 'kind' and 'caring'."

The home was previously placed in special measures in 2021 after a similar inadequate rating.

'A real difference'

A spokesperson for the home said its improvement plan was in place prior to the visit and included a new leadership team, nursing team and enhanced systems and processes which were "already delivering meaningful benefits".

They added the team was "disappointed" the report did not reflect progress being made and it had responded to concerns inspectors raised.

Fiona Williams, managing director of the home, said it was "committed to continuing the highest standards of care and support for our residents and families".

"Long before the recent inspection we had already put in place a robust improvement plan, with a new leadership team, new nursing staff, and strengthened systems.

"These changes are well advanced and making a real difference."