Care home placed in special measures

A care home has been placed in special measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after it identified a risk of harm to residents.

Castletroy Residential Home, in Luton, had its rating downgraded from good to inadequate following an inspection by the CQC in February.

According to the CQC's report, lap belts were routinely used on residents to restrict their movement and care plans were not always followed.

The home said it acknowledged the findings and had already "implemented a comprehensive improvement plan addressing all areas identified".

Hazel Roberts, the CQC's deputy director of adult social care in the East of England, said: "People were at risk of harm because care plans and risk assessments were inaccurate and inconsistent."

She said that a person was identified as being at high risk of choking and needed a modified diet, but her plan had listed foods that were incompatible with that diet.

The report said only 12 out of 47 staff had received falls prevention training, and staff supporting people with dementia, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy had not received relevant training.

"We had serious concerns about the use of physical restraint," Roberts said. "Staff routinely used lap belts to restrict people's movement while they were sitting in chairs, including when the chairs weren't being moved."

The report said staff did not always use respectful language and mimicked a person who was distressed.

One resident had their hair stroked and their hand held when their care plan stated "the person did not like personal touch".

The CQC also found dirty bathrooms and food that was past its use-by date.

However, it found residents were satisfied with their care and that they felt safe.

Staff were also observed to be kind and caring and said they were supported by management.

Following the inspection, the CQC reported safeguarding incidents for seven people to the local authority.

The home said its "priority remains the safety, wellbeing and dignity of the people who live at Castletroy, and we are working closely with the local authority and CQC to ensure rapid and sustained improvements".

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