CCTV was used without appropriate consent in communal areas of a Knowsley care home where multiple breaches were identified by inspectors.
The home, Ainsdale Court off Holt Lane in Prescot, was inspected last December by the Care Quality Commission where a number of problems were identified. The home provides care for up to 46 residents, many experiencing conditions including dementia.
In a report released last week, inspectors said that during their visit medicine was left unlocked and unattended. The use of CCTV in the communal areas of the home was also identified as an area of concern.
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The use of the CCTV involved a breach of the home’s duty of care as it relates to the Mental Capacity Act, according to inspectors. The act outlines responsibilities and processes involved in making decisions on behalf of people who lack capacity.
Under the act, people should be supported to make their own decisions as far as possible, being helped only where needed. Inspectors found there were failings in the application of this key element of residents’ care.
Inspectors said: “Systems were not in place to obtain people’s consent in a way which demonstrated decisions made on behalf of people were fully considered.”
In particular, “CCTV equipment had been installed in communal areas throughout the building which included dining rooms and lounges. The provider failed to demonstrate appropriate decision making had been implemented when needed under the MCA.”
The inspectors said that decisions had “not been made in a person’s best interest” with deprivation of liberty applications failing to include the use of the CCTV or how it was used to monitor patient care.
The report states: “This demonstrated that people’s rights to consent had not been fully considered with the installation of the CCTV.”
Other issues identified included safety checks either not being in place or “robust enough” to ensure resident safety, although inspectors also found several positive aspects of the service. This included the quality of care, cleanliness of the building and safeguarding.
Inspectors said while people were “generally happy” at the home, due to the breaches identified the home overall required improvement in several areas.
Ainsdale Court’s home manager Vikki Woods told the ECHO the recent inspection has “led to several changes and actions being implemented” which has involved a “complete restructure of the management team.”
Ms Woods said: “I am new to the team as the Home Manager along with a new Deputy Manager and a new Regional Quality Support Manager also joining Ainsdale Court to ensure that Governance and Quality monitoring is integrated into the service.
“We have devised a comprehensive action plan to address all required improvements as recommended by the CQC team and they are happy with initial progress made and implemented structures.
“I am very optimistic and confident that we have the right team in place now to drive the improvements required and I am personally delighted to have joined such a lovely, dedicated, and caring team.”
