Ashingdon Hall care home remains in special measures - CQC

The CQC said the Ashingdon Hall had been put in special measures to "ensure people are safe"

A care home looking after older people and those with dementia has been ordered by inspectors to make immediate improvements to protect its clients.

Ashingdon Hall, near Rochford, Essex, has been rated inadequate again and placed in special measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Inspectors found residents' fluid intake was not monitored and CCTV in bedrooms was intrusive.

The home has been asked by the BBC to comment on the findings.

Inspectors visited the residential care home in December to follow up on concerns the CQC found during a previous inspection.

At the time of the most recent inspection, there were six people living on the residential suite and eight people living on the dementia suite.

Inspectors found care home staff could not demonstrate whether or not all people using the service had enough fluid intake to maintain their hydration needs, and care was not supportive.

'Enforcement action'

CCTV was used in people's bedrooms on the dementia suite, but there was no evidence showing that a less intrusive option was considered to protect people's privacy and dignity, its report said.  

There were concerns over risk management and not all staff training was up-to-date.

However, clients and their relatives told inspectors they had no concerns over safety, the report stated.

The overall service has again been rated as inadequate and remains in special measures.

Inspectors rated the caring nature of the service, and its responsiveness as requiring improvement.

The CQC said it had "also taken additional enforcement action", but was unable to give details of that action at the present time.

"The service remains in special measures so the CQC can ensure people are safe while they are making these improvements," it said.