A care home which had an outbreak of coronavirus last year has been given the worst possible rating in a report.
College Green Rest Home, on College Road in Crosby, Sefton, had failed to address risks of people falling, choking or getting burns according to the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
The report comes after visits to the home in October and November last year.
A spokesperson for College Green, which provided residential care for 12 people at the time of the inspections, said the issues raised in the CQC document have now been addressed.
While they confirmed there was an outbreak of Covid-19 at the care home last October, the spokesperson was not able to confirm if any residents had fallen seriously ill or passed away as a result.
The CQC report said inspectors were assured that rules on shielding, social distancing, testing and safety were being followed at College Green.
The most worrying part of the report stated that: “People were at risk of falls due to poor mobility, but no falls risk assessment had been completed.”
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The document added: “Staff also identified one person as a choking risk, but no choking risk assessment had been completed and there was no plan to manage this risk.”
Risks of burns and head injuries were also not managed correctly.
The report added: “Multiple radiator covers were missing from people's bedrooms and communal areas. This put people at risk of burns.
“During the inspection we found one person leaning against a hot radiator. We had to intervene to ensure this person did not come to any harm.
“One person had banged their head but there was no record of any monitoring or medical advice for this person. There was a lack of referrals to appropriate professionals after multiple accidents, such as the falls team.”
It is noted in the report that the radiator covers problem was solved immediately once the issue was pointed out.
These failings among others led inspectors to conclude that the care home left people "at risk of harm” and that there were “widespread and systemic failings” in its operation.
Medicine was another area of serious concern in the CQC document.
The report said there was a lack of medicines guidance for staff and added: “This meant people were at risk of not receiving medicines when they needed them.
“Some people were prescribed creams and eye drops which had an expiry date after opening.
“Opening dates had not been recorded on these meaning they may be used past their expiry date. We made a recommendation about this.”
On fire safety, evacuation drills had not taken place and inspectors spoke to staff who were “not always aware” of the evacuation process.
There was also no equipment to support people if an emergency evacuation needed to happen.
However, the CQC notes that the provider did respond immediately to address the risk of fires through measures such as fire doors.
Inspectors said there were issues with consent and care plans at the home.
The report added: “One person's access to their room was restricted which went against their specific wishes.”
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As well as this: “Restrictive practices were being used, and management and staff were making choices for people which were not always in their best interest.”
The CQC noticed conflicting information in people’s care plans.
One part of the report stated: “Some care plans contained contradictory information. For example, one person's care plan stated they were independently mobile, but another care plan stated they required support from one staff member to mobilise safely."
There were some positive aspects of College Green noted in the document.
The report said: “Communication with relatives, especially during the pandemic, was good.
"Relatives said the registered manager often called them to report any concerns or update them on their loved one's health and wellbeing.
“Managers and staff understood their legal responsibility to be open and honest with people. Relatives told us the registered manager was very open with them.”
A spokesperson for College Green Rest Home said: “We had an outbreak of Covid-19 in early October 2020.
“Following this the CQC carried out their inspection on 30th October, 2020.
“All of the issues raised in the report have now been addressed and we are awaiting a return visit from the CQC.
“We have had the full support of residents’ families throughout the pandemic.”
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