Leicester care home residents at risk of harm, says watchdog

The CQC said Ashton Lodge "requires improvement"

Residents at a care home are at risk of harm due to "hazards in the environment", a watchdog has said.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found multiple failings at Ashton Lodge Residential Home in Leicester.

A report, released on Thursday, highlighted concerns including bags of rubbish and old furniture left in the garden, as well as damaged flooring.

The home has been contacted for comment.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said the home, in Daneshill Road, kept its previous rating of "requires improvement" following the inspection in November.

Inspectors found the garden in a poor state with bags of rubbish, old furniture and mattresses, dead leaves, and cigarette ends. Paving stones in the area were also uneven.

In bedrooms, inspectors found worn laminate flooring exposing porous surfaces, worn bedlinen, stained and peeling wallpaper, a skirting board that had come away from the wall exposing an area where dirt had collected, and damaged and chipped doors and doorframes.

In the toilet areas there was a cracked toilet bowl, damaged boxing around pipes and ill-fitting skirting boards with dirt behind and underneath them, inspectors added.

There was also evidence of damaged paintwork, wallpaper, and flooring in other areas.

In the medicine area, the trolley had a damaged surface with rust showing through, and the light switch and fabric pull-cord in this area were dirty.

'Avoidable harm remained'

The report said the premises were visibly cleaner compared to the previous inspection, however, "damage to the environment and fittings and fixtures, exposed porous surfaces, made thorough cleaning difficult".

The CQC said that presented a risk of bacterial infections.

Inspectors said one area had improved since the previous inspection and rated the effectiveness of the service as "good", noting that people's outcomes were consistently good.

Staff also gave positive feedback during the visit and inspectors noted they were "satisfied" with their training.

The report concluded: "People were safeguarded from abuse, but avoidable harm remained a risk due to hazards in the environment."