'˜Inadequate' St Leonards nursing home staff '˜working hard to improve'

St Dominic’s Nursing Home was rated as inadequate in every category by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in a report published on November 1.

The home on Filsham Road was inspected over three days in September after a high number of concerns were raised and found to be failing people’s safety.

Operations manager Raj Gokhool said issues with the previous manager were known but the new team are ensuring everyone is safe and getting the expected level of care.

“Prior to the inspection the senior management team were aware of the difficulties with the existing manager and her clinical team and appropriate course of actions had to be taken to protect the safety and welfare of the resident,” he said.

“However, you can rest assured that both the senior management team, the new manager and all staffs at St Dominic’s Nursing Home are ensuring that people in our care are safe and receiving the appropriate level of care and support as expected in a dignified manner.”

St Dominic’s Nursing Home is registered to provide care to up to 91 people with a range of needs, such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, and heart failure, many of whom are also living with dementia.

Due to a high number of concerns raised about safety, the meal service and staffing levels, the inspection was brought forward.

The report says resident’s safety was ‘compromised’ in a number of areas, including out-of-date care plans, lack of experienced staff and shortcuts were being made.

“People and visitors we spoke with were complimentary about the caring nature of some of the staff,” the report says.

“However the constant changes to staff, use of agency staff and staff leaving had impacted on how the home was run.

“Many people were supported with little verbal interaction, and many spent time isolated in their rooms.”

St Dominic’s was placed into special measures meaning it will be inspected again in six months and kept under review by the CQC to ensure improvements are made.

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