Latest news with #LindaHirst
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Castleford care home placed in special measures by regulator
A care home which specialises in looking after people with dementia has been put into special measures to protect its residents, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Park Care Home in Castleford was inspected by the regulator in March and April after concerns were reported, and it was given an "inadequate" Hirst from the CQC said poor leadership and a lack of staff had led to people being placed at risk of home, run by Maria Mallaband Care Group (MMCG (CCH) Limited) said it was "deeply disappointed" by the outcome and added it "apologised unreservedly to residents, families and staff". Manor Park, on Leeds Road in Cutsyke, provides nursing and personal care to up to 75 people, some of whom are living with CQC found people's basic care needs were not being met, with some residents looking unkempt and some being left alone in communal areas. On one occasion, one person was left in the bath with nobody around to help them get were told by residents they were bored and felt there was a lack of activities and opportunities to go out, which affected their wellbeing and made them feel unhappy. Ms Hirst, who is CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said: "People's relatives raised concerns that understaffing meant their loved ones weren't receiving safe or appropriate care. "Staff had also raised concerns with leaders about unsafe staffing levels and felt they had not been listened to as the situation continued."She added: "It's unacceptable that on several occasions, inspectors had to intervene and locate staff to assist people as nobody was available to support them. "For example, one person was extremely distressed and shouting out continually for help, but staff didn't respond to them or take any action to alleviate their distress until inspectors intervened." Following this inspection, the overall rating for the home has moved down from good to CQC identified five breaches of regulation relating to safeguarding, safe care and treatment, staffing, person-centred care and how the service is service has been placed in special measures which means it will be kept under close review by CQC to keep people safe and it will be monitored to check sufficient improvements have been made. The CQC has begun the process of taking regulatory action to address the concerns which MMCG (CCH) Limited has the right to appeal.A spokesperson for the care home said a number of "immediate steps" had been taken to address areas of concern, including around leadership, staffing levels and training. They added: "Manor Park is committed to addressing all concerns raised as soon as possible and are working closely with the CQC and local authority. "It will maintain regular contact with families, supported by clearer lines of communication and dedicated points of contact for any concerns – an approach that has already been well received. "Our focus now is on delivering meaningful and sustained improvements, and on restoring confidence in the care we provide." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Care agency rating upgraded after improvements
A care agency providing residential support for people with complex needs which was branded "inadequate" has improved to a "good" rating after a new inspection. Lifeways Community Care in Halifax, which supports 26 people with mental health issues, autism and learning disabilities, was also removed from special measures, said watchdog Care Quality Commission (CQC). One of the main improvements was helping residents to "maximise their independence" which included going on holiday abroad, finding a job, taking control of their finances and even getting a tattoo. A CQC spokesperson said: "People using the service were excited to tell us about the support they received from staff and how they'd been empowered to make decisions about their lives." The inspection took place in November and December 2024 and involved 11 different supported-living houses in Halifax. Previously the service was said to be poorly managed and the care was not "person-centred" but after a new manager was installed the rating for being "safe and responsive" was upgraded to "good". Linda Hirst, CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said: "When we inspected the service, we were very pleased to see significant improvements to people's safety and quality of life. "People told us they felt safe and listened to, and one person compared their home and support to a family." She also said one resident had built the confidence to go out into the community for the first time in several years and another was able to go on holiday abroad for the first time since they were aged two. Inspectors also found staff and leaders knew how to protect people from risks of abuse or avoidable harm and residents reported they were able to do the activities they wanted, such as theatre trips, discos and barge trips. People were also successfully matched to staff with similar interests to support relationship-building, they said. A Lifeways Community Care spokesperson said: "This is a fantastic achievement by a dedicated team who've worked tirelessly to deliver on an intensive improvement plan." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Care Quality Commission
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Care agency rating upgraded after improvements
A care agency providing residential support for people with complex needs which was branded "inadequate" has improved to a "good" rating after a new inspection. Lifeways Community Care in Halifax, which supports 26 people with mental health issues, autism and learning disabilities, was also removed from special measures, said watchdog Care Quality Commission (CQC). One of the main improvements was helping residents to "maximise their independence" which included going on holiday abroad, finding a job, taking control of their finances and even getting a tattoo. A CQC spokesperson said: "People using the service were excited to tell us about the support they received from staff and how they'd been empowered to make decisions about their lives." The inspection took place in November and December 2024 and involved 11 different supported-living houses in Halifax. Previously the service was said to be poorly managed and the care was not "person-centred" but after a new manager was installed the rating for being "safe and responsive" was upgraded to "good". Linda Hirst, CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said: "When we inspected the service, we were very pleased to see significant improvements to people's safety and quality of life. "People told us they felt safe and listened to, and one person compared their home and support to a family." She also said one resident had built the confidence to go out into the community for the first time in several years and another was able to go on holiday abroad for the first time since they were aged two. Inspectors also found staff and leaders knew how to protect people from risks of abuse or avoidable harm and residents reported they were able to do the activities they wanted, such as theatre trips, discos and barge trips. People were also successfully matched to staff with similar interests to support relationship-building, they said. A Lifeways Community Care spokesperson said: "This is a fantastic achievement by a dedicated team who've worked tirelessly to deliver on an intensive improvement plan." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Care Quality Commission
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Halifax care service upgraded to 'good' after inspection
A care agency providing residential support for people with complex needs which was branded "inadequate" has improved to a "good" rating after a new Community Care in Halifax, which supports 26 people with mental health issues, autism and learning disabilities, was also removed from special measures, said watchdog Care Quality Commission (CQC). One of the main improvements was helping residents to "maximise their independence" which included going on holiday abroad, finding a job, taking control of their finances and even getting a tattoo. A CQC spokesperson said: "People using the service were excited to tell us about the support they received from staff and how they'd been empowered to make decisions about their lives." 'Felt safe' The inspection took place in November and December 2024 and involved 11 different supported-living houses in Halifax. Previously the service was said to be poorly managed and the care was not "person-centred" but after a new manager was installed the rating for being "safe and responsive" was upgraded to "good". Linda Hirst, CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said: "When we inspected the service, we were very pleased to see significant improvements to people's safety and quality of life."People told us they felt safe and listened to, and one person compared their home and support to a family." She also said one resident had built the confidence to go out into the community for the first time in several years and another was able to go on holiday abroad for the first time since they were aged two. Inspectors also found staff and leaders knew how to protect people from risks of abuse or avoidable harm and residents reported they were able to do the activities they wanted, such as theatre trips, discos and barge were also successfully matched to staff with similar interests to support relationship-building, they said.A Lifeways Community Care spokesperson said: "This is a fantastic achievement by a dedicated team who've worked tirelessly to deliver on an intensive improvement plan."Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Leeds care service risked 'delaying life-saving treatment', says watchdog
A care service for people with learning difficulties has been put into special measures after it was rated inadequate by the industry Care Ltd in Leeds was inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 21 and 25 November when it found that information which could assist with life-saving treatment was not recorded said the inspection was carried out following concerns raised by service users and their families. It said some processes "led to people being placed at risk of unsafe care".BKind Care Ltd has been contacted for comment. The company provides domiciliary support to people living in their own homes across Leeds, including autistic people and people with a learning placed in special measures means it will be kept under close review by the CQC and monitored to check sufficient improvements have been watchdog also issued warning notices for the service to focus their attention on making significant improvements around consent, safe care and treatment, and how they were managing the service. 'Unsafe care' The CQC's Linda Hirst said: "This service looks after people who rely on staff for their basic care needs and leaders must make the necessary improvements to ensure people can receive the level of care they deserve."Staff didn't record important information about people's support and wishes in their care plans."One person's choice whether they wanted to have CPR wasn't filled in, which could delay life-saving treatment."She said that some staff had not been trained in how to care for autistic people and people with a learning disability. Ms Hirst added: "This could place people at risk of inappropriate or unsafe care as staff don't have the necessary skills to provide care to people with those needs."She said although there were some positives, staff were "let down by poor care planning and not understanding the needs of people as well as they should"."We will return to check on their progress and won't hesitate to use our regulatory powers further if people aren't receiving the care they have a right to expect," Ms Hirst added. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
