Care home residents ‘left alone, calling for help’ throughout the day

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

A South London care home has been given the worst possible inspection rating after residents were reported to be “left alone” while calling for help throughout the day.

Priory Mews care home in Dartford has been labelled ‘Inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission in a report published last week.

In the report, the inspector said they found multiple residents being ignored while calling for help, with one person being described as “distressed” as they wanted to get out of bed.

The inspector said in their report: “Staff told us they did not get the person out of bed as they were at risk of falls and may try to get out of a chair and fall. The person was left alone, calling out throughout the day.

“Some people in their bedrooms were calling out through the day.

“Staff did not respond by going in to them to have a chat and reassure them.

“Staff told us some people called out regularly.”

A resident’s family also claimed their relative was not safely supported while eating or drinking. They told inspectors that staff often forgot to sit their loved one up while eating.

“This is why I come in at lunchtime, every day I tell them the same thing. I know they don’t sit him up,” the report said.

The report also said that the service was not well-led. Staff morale was said to be low and managers reportedly told the inspector they were too busy to keep care plans up to date or check on staff practice.

One staff member told the inspector: “Paperwork is piled high, it is chaotic, and nothing can be organised.”

The report said the provider had since changed the working patterns of unit managers after the inspections.

The inspector also said people were happy with the choice of food offered by the care home.

One relative told the inspector: “I haven’t seen it, but she likes it, and she eats everything, they get a good choice. She is putting on weight she lost when she was ill.”

The service provides care for up to 156 people, with 112 people living at the home at the time of inspection.

Priory Mews care home has been approached for comment.

Pictured top: Priory Mews care home in Dartford was given an inadequate rating by the Care Quality Commission in a report published last week (Picture: Google Street View)