Risk of harm at three Surrey care homes, inspectors say

Three sites have been rated inadequate by inspectors

A Surrey care homes provider faces action after three of its sites were rated "inadequate" by inspectors.

Staff at Rainscombe Bungalow and Rainscombe House, in Smallfield, and Nutbush Cottage, in Horley, were putting people "at risk of harm", the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said.

The three sites care for people with learning disabilities and autism.

Mitchell's Care Homes, which runs the homes, said the inspections had raised "important concerns".

The inspections, which were carried out in November 2023, were follow up visits after Mitchell's Care Homes had previously been told to take action.

Amy Jupp, CQC deputy director of operations in the south, said: "We found that despite issuing enforcement action at all three services, this hadn't driven the rapid and widespread improvement we wanted it to.

"We've reported our findings to the provider, and they know what they must address.

"We'll continue to monitor the home closely and will not hesitate to take further action if we're not assured people are receiving safe and dignified care."

The CQC said details of "significant enforcement action" will be made public at a later date.

In a statement, Mitchells Care Homes said: "External comment and criticism is valuable and important to an organisation like ours, operating in sensitive and sometimes challenging areas of community care.

"The people in our care have very particular, complex and sensitive requirements and it is essential that they receive the highest possible standard of care and attention.

"Our homes have previously been rated good overall, We are intent on bringing them back to that high standard."

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