Care workers were '˜too tired' to meet the needs of elderly residents

A shortstaffed care home where stressed out care workers were too tired to meet the needs of elderly residents has ben rated 'inadequate' by inspectors.
Care Quality Commission.Care Quality Commission.
Care Quality Commission.

The manager of Ashmeadows care home in Cleckheaton was “extremely tired” after working 98 hours over 10 consecutive shifts when the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited.

Another care staff member had worked 120 hours over ten consecutive shifts at the home, which has been placed in special measures by the watchdog. Inspectors praised staff for having a kind and caring approach to the 16 people who were living at Ashmeadows.

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But the report said: “We found from staff rotas and speaking with staff there were extremely long hours being worked with few, if any, rest days. Whilst staff said they were willing to do this to cover the staff shortages, we had concerns that staff may be too tired to care for people safely.”

There report said not enough improvements had been made at the home since the CQC’s previous inspectors.

It said: “Some areas in the home had strong offensive odours, such as sanitary waste bins and some bathroom areas.”

Inspectors who visited in September also found that an engineer had raised safety concerns over gas meter defects in May, but the meter had not been replaced. Carbon monoxide detectors were installed the following day after inspectors spoke to the provider.

Ashmeadows was rated as inadequate for being safe, effective and well-led, and “requires improvement” for being caring and responsive.

Ashmeadows did not wish to comment when contacted.

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