Local Care Centre Rated as Inadequate

Councillor claims negative report was suppressed by Hounslow Council

Local opposition Councillors are claiming that a negative report into a Council-run care centre for the elderly in Chiswick was deliberately kept from them.

The Clifton Gardens Resource Centre was judged to be 'inadequate' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) earlier this year. The centre provides accommodation and care for a maximum of 43 older people who may also be living with dementia and is the responsibility of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is situated on Chiswick Common Road towards Belmont Road.

During unannounced inspections on 30 October 2014 and 5 November 2014, inspectors found that Clifton Gardens was failing to provide care which was safe, effective or well-lead. A report on the Inspections was published on the 30th March 2015 but local Councillors have only recently become aware of the contents.

In the summary of its findings the report stated, “We found a number of breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010. These related to staffing levels, infection control, management of risk, staff training and support, reviews of care needs and monitoring the quality of the service.”

Relatives to whom the inspectors spoke told them that there weren’t enough staff on duty to deliver proper care. They also observed poor standards of cleanliness, “People were not protected from the risks of infection due to poor cleaning practices. We saw a number of the communal toilets around the home were not clean with dust and rubber gloves left on the floor. There was dirt and dead insects in the plastic covers on the ceiling lights.”

The report did have praise for the attitude of the staff. It quotes a healthcare provider as saying, “The staff seem genuinely caring of their patients and have a helpful attitude.”

In the five categories for assessment the centre was rated as ‘inadequate’ for leadership and safety but ‘good’ for caring.

Commenting on this report, Cllr Peter Thompson, Leader of Hounslow Conservative Group stated, “People who are using residential and home care services have the right to expect high quality and safe care. We will need urgent reassurances that the shortcomings identified in the report have been sorted and that our residents are getting a great service.”

“We came across this report last week on the CQC website. I find it staggering that this report was never brought to the attention of myself, Adrian or Samantha as the local ward councillors nor has it never been brought to the Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Panel on the Council which is responsible for ensuring the scrutiny of health services and social care provision in the Borough. We have made a pledge as councillors to keep people informed and if we are not being told what's going on it's a sad state of affairs.”

Councillor Kamaljit Kaur, Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “The results of a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of Clifton Gardens Resource Centre, which took place in November 2014, were published in March this year.

“The care home was judged as inadequate and the council immediately implemented action plans to ensure that all improvements recommended by the CQC were made as quickly as possible. We have arranged for a thorough review and a re-inspection to take place. Quality of care and the wellbeing of all residents of all residents is of key importance to the council.

“It is not current council policy to inform ward councillors about CQC inspection reports of care homes. As cabinet member for adult social care, I receive these reports and will review our policy about their distribution.

“If there was a very serious incident at one of our care homes, relevant ward councillors would always be notified. All members are always welcome to come and talk to me directly about any concerns they have concerning issues within my areas of responsibility.”

June 26, 2015