A Merseyside care home has closed after a report found staff were not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in communal areas and the manager did not clearly understand coronavirus.
Devonshire Manor care home, in Birkenhead, Wirral, was given the lowest possible rating of ‘inadequate’ in a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report published in September.
The North Road care home, which looked after nine people most of whom lived with dementia, was blasted in the CQC report.
The document revealed that although they had access to PPE such as gloves and aprons, staff including the manager and provider “were not adhering to Public Health England guidance in respect of this equipment to mitigate the risk of Coronavirus.
“Personal protective equipment including the use of masks were not in use by staff working in communal areas to prevent and mitigate the risk of this infection.”
Most worryingly, the report added: “The manager did not have a clear understanding of Coronavirus and the infection control standards required to prevent its transmission within the home.”
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The ECHO has approached Devonshire Manor for comment.
This is the second CQC report in a row which has given the care home a rating of ‘inadequate’ after a report published in January gave the same verdict.
Although the home was visibly clean, neither the provider nor the manager were found to have a full understanding of how to provide good care in accordance with their legal responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act.
The report also said: “Fire safety arrangements remained poor and did not ensure people were protected in the event of a fire.
“A number of fire safety deficiencies were identified but the provider had not acted upon them. This meant people were not adequately protected from harm in the event of a fire.”
As well as this, people's risks were still not adequately assessed. The report added: “Staff lacked clear and sufficient guidance on how to support them appropriately.
“Records did not show that people received the right support with regards to their nutrition, skin integrity, medication needs and overall care."
There were also problems with Devonshire Manor’s employment practices. The identity of some staff members had not been properly checked.
In addition to this, the report stated: “The application forms completed by some staff did not give an accurate account of their employment history.
“Some previous employer references identified issues with the conduct of staff members.
“There was little evidence that the manager had undertaken a robust investigation into these issues prior to their employment at Devonshire Manor.”
Cllr Yvonne Nolan, chair of Wirral Council’s adult social care and public health committee, said: "We can confirm that Devonshire Manor care home has now closed.
"The council worked in partnership with staff, residents and their families to rehome all residents nearby, at appropriate care homes of their choice.
The Labour councillor added: “Prior to the move, all residents had their needs reviewed by a social worker to make sure their new home would be suitable for them and could ensure a smooth transition.
"We will review them regularly over the next few months to check they are settling in well.”
