Nest Healthcare in Clacton rated 'inadequate' by the CQC

Nest Healthcare, in Clacton-on-Sea, advertises a bespoke substance abuse rehabilitation centre

A self-described "exclusive, specialist rehabilitation and wellness clinic" has been placed in special measures.

Nest Healthcare, in Clacton-on-Sea, was rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after an inspection.

Inspectors found staff at the facility in Essex had no substance abuse-specific training and there were "poor" risk assessment processes.

However, the watchdog noted patients were treated with "compassion and kindness".

The centre, operated by Paradise Lodge Care Home Ltd on Arnold Road, was rated inadequate overall, with the same rating in the safe, effective, responsive and well-led areas.

At the time of the inspection on 27 September 2023, four of the five bedrooms on offer were occupied, the Local Democracy Reporting Service wrote.

'Leaders lacked knowledge'

Despite advertising a bespoke substance abuse rehabilitation service, the care home had no EpiPens or naloxone available - which could be used to counteract the effect of illicit drugs and harmful substances - the CQC said.

Although "purchased recently" relative to the time of the inspection, both the service's blood pressure machine and alcometer - used to measure the quantity of alcohol in a patient's breath - were not calibrated, meaning they were out of use.

The watchdog also found liver function tests were not routinely requested and staff were not equipped to assess potentially lethal withdrawal symptoms such as alcohol withdrawal seizures.

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Care plans "did not reflect individual client needs and were not personalised, holistic or recovery-oriented," it concluded.

In their report, inspectors said: "Leaders lacked the skills, knowledge and experience to perform their roles. They did not have a good understanding of the services they managed."

However, they stressed the building itself was recorded as being "clean, well-furnished and fit for purpose". The report added patients' "privacy and dignity" was respected.

Nest Healthcare was contacted for comment.