Care home in special measures over safety concerns

The Woodlands Care Home, in Wirral, was rated "inadequate"

A Merseyside care home has been put into special measures after inspectors found serious and widespread failures relating to the care of elderly people.

Safety risks including black mould, rising damp and nails protruding from walls at head height were found by inspectors at The Woodlands Care Home (TWCH) in Wirral.

The home, which supports up to 16 older people and those living with sensory impairments, was rated "inadequate" following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The care home has been contacted for comment.

'Dirty and unsafe'

The assessment took place between 29 April and 2 May after concerns were raised about the quality of care at the care home on Birkenhead Road.

In its subsequent report, the CQC said people were exposed to risk of harm, areas were "unclean, unhygienic, and poorly maintained" and care plans failed to accurately identify and manage risks.

The regulator found TWCH was in breach of four legal regulations in relation to "safe care and treatment, good governance, staffing, and fit and proper persons employed".

As a result, the home was given an overall rating of "inadequate".

Inspectors said residents were "at risk" and the home was "in breach of the legal regulations relating to safe care and treatment, safe environments and safe management of medicines".

A number of hazards were identified including nails and hooks in walls at head height and within shower rooms, missing grab and handrails, and missing radiator covers.

High-risk areas such as the laundry and electrical cupboards were unlocked and accessible to all.

The laundry was found to contain black mould on the walls and rising damp.

Residents' clean clothes stored next to areas of mould.

Toilets were visibly dirty and had not been cleaned for some time, the report said.

Assessing the home's leadership and effectiveness, inspectors found the home "did not support people to manage their health and wellbeing, so people could not maximise their independence, choice and control".

The CQC has asked the TWCH's management to create an action plan to addresses the concerns that had been highlighted by inspectors.