'Unclean' nursing home in Bromsgrove rated 'inadequate'

An "unclean and unhygienic" nursing home has been put into special measures following an inspection.

St George's Nursing Home in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, has been rated as "inadequate" following a visit by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Inspectors said people at the home "were at risk of infections" and ordered improvements.

Bosses at the home said an action plan had been sent to the CQC and "shortfalls have been addressed".

The CQC report found:

  • The home environment and equipment was unclean and unhygienic
  • People were at risk from infections as the staff practices and the provider's arrangements were ineffective
  • People's nutrition and hydration needs had not always been reliably monitored to ensure their health was not impacted upon
  • The service was not well led

The home, in Old Station Road, provides nursing and residential care for up to 43 people. It had 19 residents at the time of the inspection.

Inspectors said they found "concerns about some staff practices when using equipment which could put people's safety at risk".

On one occasion, a member of staff failed to discard needles safely and was seen carrying used needles around the home, the report said.

But the report added that staff had "some positive caring conversations with people which enhanced their wellbeing".

Raj Gokhool, operations manager for Aster Healthcare Ltd, which runs the home, said: "We have put effective systems in place to ensure that we sustain the changes made within the day to day operation of the home.

"We are confident that the care and welfare of the residents at St George's Nursing Home are not being compromised and the services being provided are safe, caring and effective."

The unannounced inspection took place in April 2016. It had been rated as "requires improvement" after an inspection in July 2015.

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