The Isle of Wight Council is working to find alternative care and support provision for residents of Blackwater Mill Residential Care Home just months after a Care Quality Commission report highlighted concerns over the quality of care provided.
It was last October that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published a damning report that rated Blackwater Mill, on the outskirts of Newport, as ‘inadequate’ and saw the home thrown into special measures. Concerns were raised about the home’s ability to manage risk and the safety of the home environment, with inspectors ultimately finding that residents were at risk of harm.
According to the report, based on an inspection in March 2024, there were ongoing risks related to the stairwells, fire safety, managing distressed behaviour and ensuring people received food modified to an appropriate texture to meet their needs. People’s ability to consent to their care or restrictions in their support had not been assessed in line with the law and this impacted on their human rights.
Furthermore, it was found that staff did not have consistent guidance to enable them to support people safely, nor had they received regular training to enable them to meet people’s varied needs.
At the time, the Isle of Wight Council said that it was working with the Blackwater Mill team to ‘support their improvement journey’.
Now, 3 months later, the local authority says it is not only providing management oversight within the care home but is also working to review the care and support needs of residents. Where appropriate, support is being provided to residents to access alternative care and support provision in light of the concerns raised over the quality of care at Blackwater Mill.
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council has said:
“We are working hard to ensure that the residents’ needs are met, and families are kept informed.
Article continues below this advertisement “Our own staff are providing support and management oversight within the care home at this time”.
“The picture is one that is subject to change.”
Island Echo has asked the Council how many residents have been moved out of Blackwater Mill to date, and how many remain, but the Adult Social Care team have refused to ‘get into the numbers’.
Blackwater Mill was previously rated poorly for its food hygiene but a recent inspection has resulted in a 5 rating – the best possible score given by Environmental Health inspectors.
In a statement, Buckland Care – who run Blackwater Mill – have said:
“There has been a decision to relocate some residents following a thorough reassessment of their care needs by the Isle of Wight Council. This reassessment determined that several residents now require more complex care, including nursing, which is beyond the scope of the services offered at Blackwater Mill as a residential care home.
“We are working closely with the Isle of Wight Council to ensure that all residents affected by this decision are supported during the transition to environments that are better equipped to meet their individual needs.
“Buckland Care remains committed to making improvements at Blackwater Mill and ensuring that the home provides a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for residents whose needs are suited to residential care”.
Another typical island run company, Staff did not have
guidance or training, say no more.
So many businesses should not be allowed to operate
if not being run correctly.
Its a mainland company
This place stinks of urine, as soon as you walk in you can smell it, should be shut down completely
Sadly older people will have accidents
Most care homes with dementia inmates stink of urine. It goes with the territory. Some worse than others, but it’s hardly a shock.
They need to get the dredgers out.