Nottinghamshire councillor calls for more private care home inspections

More inspections are needed at private care homes in Nottinghamshire, a Labour county councillor has claimed.

His comments come after a private care home in Lambley was shut down this week following concerns being raised about the safety of residents.

Councillor Chris Winterton said: "Because of cuts we have made I don't think there are enough inspectors to ensure the homes are safe."

The council said it takes "a pro-active approach" to monitoring the care homes.

Suffered bruising

Cllr Winterton said: "In the last few years, the council has cut £65m from adult social care and health and that has left us short of staff to do adequate inspections into these private sector homes.

The Lambley home specialises in caring for people with dementia

"I think they [the county council] should look at the overall allocation of resources again and allocate more to inspection of private sector homes so we can be reassured that the elderly people in Nottinghamshire are properly protected."

Spring Lane Residential Home in Lambley had its registration cancelled this week after a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection found people at risk, and information was received that eight residents had suffered bruising.

A CQC spokesman said: "There was a lack of staff - and people were not being treated with the dignity and respect they deserved.

"We also saw .. that the management was not able to sustain any improvement."

In a statement the home said: "We deeply regret recent events at Spring Lane.

'Dignity and respect'

"At this time we are working closely with the local authority in the best interests of residents, ensuring that residents and their families are consulted on the way forward for their future care and support."

Nottinghamshire Police are also investigating the death of an 87-year-old woman at the home, which specialised in caring for people with dementia.

Police said their investigation was on behalf of the coroner, and would cover the circumstances surrounding her death and the level of care she received at the home.

David Pearson, director of adult social care and health at the Conservative-led county council, said: "Our first priority is to ensure that any residents who have to transfer homes are treated with dignity and due respect.

"The council takes a pro-active approach to the monitoring of all care homes in the county and works with the CQC in taking action against those that are failing to meet the required standards."