Winchley Home in Special Measures Over Care Failures

A residential home, Winchley Home, has been placed under special measures following an unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on February 4 and 11. The CQC identified breaches in three legal regulations concerning consent, safe care and treatment, and governance. Inspectors found that staff had not received adequate training to support residents' needs, despite treating them with kindness. Evidence indicated that essential information was not always recorded, with one resident lacking a care plan for a month and medication management being unsafe. The home, which provides nursing care for the elderly and those with dementia, was rated inadequate, a significant drop from its 'good' rating in 2018. This situation indicates that residents were not receiving the standard of care they deserved. The CQC highlighted instances where residents at risk of choking had inaccurate dietary plans, and some were woken for personal care without consent, raising concerns about dignity and safety. One resident experienced prolonged toothache without adequate dental assessment. While relatives provided positive feedback on individual staff, they also noted a lack of activities, posing a risk of isolation. Gemini Care Ltd, the owner, has been approached for comment, and the home has developed an action plan to address the required improvements.