Dunstable care home with mouse infestation fined £25,000

Chiltern View care home in Dunstable is believed to have closed following inspections that found serious hygiene and care issues.

A former care home has been fined more than £25,000 after "serious food hygiene issues" were discovered during an inspection, a council said.

Central Bedfordshire Council found an "active mouse infestation in the kitchen" at Chiltern View Care Home in Dunstable in May 2022.

Owners Benlow's Management Company Ltd pleaded guilty in court to four offences in August 2023.

The company has been contacted for comment.

An "active mouse infestation" was found in the care home's kitchen

The council said it "will not tolerate" poor food hygiene at local businesses

Chiltern View, which appears to have closed down in April, was a 30-bed residential care home providing various types of care for elderly residents.

It had already been rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission last autumn after it found residents were "at risk of harm".

The CQC reported one resident had not had a meal for 18 hours, while medicines were not managed safely and there were staff shortages.

At the time, the home said it "recognised and acknowledged" the shortfalls.

During its own inspection in May 2022, Central Bedfordshire Council found "poor hygiene practices" in the kitchen such as out of date food in the fridge and "inadequate cleaning measures".

The council said Benlow's Management Company Ltd had "failed to establish adequate procedures for pest control", "neglected cleanliness" and did not put into practice "a food safety system".

The council said the care home had "neglected cleanliness", particularly in the kitchen.

On 20 October 2023, the company was fined a total of £25,420, including costs of £5,230 awarded to the council.

Councillor Rebecca Hares, executive member responsible for health and community liaison, said the fine "reflects the severity of the offences".

"This serves as a clear message to other businesses that we will not tolerate those who disregard food hygiene regulations.

"We will not hesitate to take action against any business that fails to meet the required food hygiene standards," she added.