Care home placed into special measures

Fernside Hall has been downgraded from 'good' to 'inadequate' by the Care Quality Commission

A care home where patients' needs went "unmet and their voices were ignored" has been placed into special measures

Fernside Hall, in Halifax, was rated 'inadequate' following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in May and June, down from 'good' after its last audit in 2021.

The CQC said the home, which supports 22 people, would be "closely monitored while making improvements to keep people safe", and given a deadline to make changes.

Fernside Hall, which is run by the Valorum Care Group, said it took the report findings "very seriously", with "urgent action to improve our service" carried out.

CQC inspectors found the home was in breach of four regulations in relation to safeguarding, safe care and treatment, person-centred care and good management of the service.

According to Linda Hirst, the CQC's deputy director of operations in Halifax, in one instance they witnessed a person sat in a wheelchair for over an hour, "visibly distressed and repeatedly shouting out for help, while staff did nothing to support them".

"It was only after a long period of distress that staff eventually moved the person, showing a lack of compassion and urgency in their care," she said.

'Unnaceptable'

Inspectors also witnessed people who were mobile being "repeatedly told to sit down" and blocked from leaving the lounge.

"This is unacceptable in a place people should feel safe and free to make choices about their daily lives," said Ms Hirst.

One person was also given the wrong dose of medication for four days, with no system in place to prevent this happening again, the CQC said.

While end of life care plans were in place, inspectors said gaps in the daily care records of one person receiving end-of-life care were discovered, "which meant we could not be assured the person received the care and support they needed towards the end of their life".

Ms Hirst said the CQC had begun taking "further regulatory action" against Valorum Care Group, but stopped short of giving more details.

She added: "We expect health and social care providers to protect people's safety, dignity and human rights. It was unacceptable that this provider allowed a culture to develop where people's needs went unmet and their voices were ignored."

A Fernside Hall spokesperson said: "We are committed to rebuilding our care ratings and are continuing to work closely with the CQC and council, whilst keeping residents and families informed of our progress."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.