Meat not being reheated to temperature and extra days being added to the use by date of stock are among the reasons Blackwater Mill Residential Home received a 1-star food hygiene rating following an inspection last month.
The establishment, located on Blackwater Road in Blackwater was handed a 1-star rating when Environmental Health Officers (EHO) from the Isle of Wight Council visited in May.
During the inspection on 22nd May, inspectors found no fewer than 10 faults in the operation of the residential home.
Among the most serious faults was that food – most notably Lamb – was being reheated to just 67c. This is below the 75c needed to ensure that all bacteria are effectively destroyed. It was also noted in the report that staff were not allowing foodstuffs to be cooled within a safe timescale, often leaving them to cool than the stated 90 minutes.
When reheating pre-cooked Lamb, the kitchen was giving the food a new 3-day date label instead of the 2-day period recommended in the operation of a residential home. Poor stock rotation was also noted with those in charge asked to introduce such a system.
During the thawing process, food was being thawed in conditions other than in a refrigerator operating at 8c or below.
Serious faults also included the cracking seals in fridges 1 and 6 and the obstruction of a hand basin in the kitchen by a bin which in turn, discouraged food handlers from washing their hands. Thermometer probes used to measure food temperatures was also not being sanitised after each use.
The inspector also found that the same cling film dispenser was being used to wrap both raw and cooked meats.
Staff at the residential home were also not aware of the safer food better business pack and there was no evidence to suggest that food handlers had been provided with instructions about what food hygiene policies they had to follow.
Food Hygiene Rating – Scores on the Doors
Compliance with food hygiene and safety procedures – 15
Compliance with structural requirements – 5
Confidence in management/control procedures – 20
Total score: 40 (1 rating)
Buckland Care was approached for a comment and in reply has said:
“We fully understand the concerns raised and would like to reassure everyone that we have taken swift action to address the issues highlighted in the inspection report.
“Immediately following the inspection, we appointed a new kitchen manager and support chef and we have been working tirelessly to review our procedures and identify areas for improvement. In addition, we have invested in new equipment and are implementing a rigorous process to ensure all our paperwork is checked and double-checked for accuracy. We are also receiving ongoing support and guidance from Buckland Care’s regional chef, who has been instrumental in helping us improve our processes.
“As a provider of high-quality care, we take our responsibility for providing nutritious, safe and enjoyable food very seriously. We are therefore deeply disappointed that our rating has fallen below the high standards that we set ourselves and that the authorities expect from us. However, we are confident that our actions will ensure that we quickly return to our previous five-star rating.”
So all front. Echo reported on how management had arranged days of activity for residents yet shoddy kitchen staff have now destroyed their reputation.
Food hygiene is serious for the elderly and vulnerable.
Wouldn’t board my cat there
All the gear and no idea.it’s cooks not chefs. That’s why you can’t get it right.
Cat fussy is it, likely a Siamese then.
Where they lick cant be none too choosy imo
Gosh always looks so smart on the outside.
Perhaps understaffed?
Not a “shock” I am surprised they even got a 1 rating from the food I have seen dished up there.
A few years ago it was good, now gone down hill
I go in and out at different times, only witnessed hard working staff, always a warm welcome and residents seem content and enjoy all the activities provided, drinks biscuits etc always available, im sure the new kitchen staff will put things right so that the rating will go back up, must be so dissapointing for those that do make a difference there
Surely it must be the top management to blame for not doing spot checks
On the plus side however, the home never had to buy as many laxatives recently.
Disgraceful especially what they charge.
If an establishment cuts corners, are they also cutting corners with the
Care they are providing.
That place is like Colditz.
due to all the diversity working there.