The Isle of Wight is facing a growing care quality crisis, with around a quarter of registered care homes now rated inadequate or requiring improvement.
Care Quality Commission (CQC) records show that the number of residences marked below good has soared from 6 to 16 in less than a year.
The CQC publicly lists care homes it has inspected online, dividing them into archived and non-archived ones. Archived services are no longer part of a provider’s registration with the CQC for reasons such as their closure or the service provider changing.
In total, 3 homes are labelled inadequate, meaning the service is performing badly and the CQC has taken enforcement action against its provider. These include the Moorings Care Home in Cowes, Orchard House Care Centre on Fairlee Road and Autumn House Residential Home in Sandown.
The CQC said it served 2 warning notices on Pebblestones, which runs The Moorings, on 23rd June for failing to meet regulations related to safe care and treatment as well as safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment.
Some 3 warning notices were served on Barchester Healthcare Homes, one of the providers behind Orchard House Care Centre, on 12th March for failure to meet regulations relating to safe care and treatment, safeguarding and good governance.
Autumn House Residential Home continues to be under special measures and further enforcement action has been taken, according to the CQC.
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said:
“We are aware of the CQC ratings position across the Island and continue to work closely with providers.
“We have a range of contract monitoring and quality assurance arrangements in place, alongside targeted support for providers where needed.
“The Isle of Wight Council is working closely with the CQC and system partners to support quality improvement and address concerns where they arise.”
Councillor Claire Critchison, a Green Party member of County Hall’s adult social care, public health and housing needs committee, said the increase in inadequate care facilities is of great concern.
She said:
“Although we have some good care homes, those that are not meeting the standard we expect need to be scrutinised.
“I constantly hear from residents how their relative has had poor treatment at a care home. From falls, missed medication, not receiving personal care to unacceptable behaviours.
“Care homes really do need to improve their quality of provision and reporting procedures. Many safeguarding and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) referrals originate from poor care home practices, and this must be reduced.”
