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Inspectors have ordered a care home to improve after accusing it of failing to protect residents from “abuse and improper treatment”.
The warning follows an unannounced visit by the Care Quality Commission to the Laleham in Central Parade in Herne Bay.
Reports released by the government watchdog reveal it found six breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 during the two-day inspection, which was brought forward after it received “information of concern”.
Inspectors discovered a resident was found to have attacked others at the home on four occasions.
Despite this, there was no evidence the incidents had been reported to Kent County Council’s safeguarding team.
The CQC report continued: “We could not be confident that safeguarding matters would be recognised, reported or appropriately progressed by the provider.
“This was because incidents warranting referral to the local authority safeguarding team had not occurred.”
Recruitment processes at the home were found wanting, with inspectors discovering unexplained employment gaps or missing information in all staff files examined.
The home was also understaffed at night, they ruled, with just three carers looking after 45 residents.
As such, a number of the 22 falls by residents in February and March went unwitnessed.
Inspectors noted: “Some people required two staff to support them to move safely. The head of care told us this could sometimes take up to half-an-hour, which would leave one staff member to respond to all other people during the night.
“During the inspection, we heard one person complaining to the head of care they had to wait a long time the night before until staff responded to their call bell.”
“I love it here, I am really very happy, and I tell it as I find it..."
Inspectors stated that the service “was not always safe” and that “there was an increased risk that people could be harmed”.
They also found shortcomings in the effectiveness of the care, treatment and support provided.
However, inspectors found no fault in the care of residents, saying they were treated with dignity and respect.
“Staff and people chatted together, sharing humour and laughing in the communal areas,” they noted. “People responded to staff warmly and willingly. When one person became agitated about having a blood sample taken, a member of staff supported them by speaking to them softly, reassuring them and holding and stroking their hand until they settled.”
One resident told inspectors: “I love it here, I am really very happy, and I tell it as I find it.
Responding to the revelations about the unreported assaults, a KCC spokesman said: “While we cannot comment on individual cases, the failure of any provider to report safeguarding concerns is a matter we take extremely seriously. We work closely with the CQC to ensure any issues identified during the course of inspections are raised and dealt with accordingly.”
"We heard one person complaining to the head of care they had to wait a long time the night before until staff responded to their call bell...” CQC inspector
The troubled care home was fined £60,000 in May 2017 for breaches of health and safety laws after a worker died when she became trapped in a lift.
It was awarded a rating of “good” by the CQC three months later, but has since changed hands.
Care home bosses have now been ordered to produce an action plan, detailing how they will address the latest issues.
The CQC said: “We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.”
The care home’s manager refused to comment when contacted by KentOnline.
