Shoreham care home rated ‘inadequate’

Health inspectors have criticised a care home after finding ‘strong odours’, risk of infections and poor standards of hygiene and cleanliness.
DM155340a.jpg Elreg House nursing home, Shoreham. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-150817-145927008DM155340a.jpg Elreg House nursing home, Shoreham. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-150817-145927008
DM155340a.jpg Elreg House nursing home, Shoreham. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-150817-145927008

Elreg House, in Rosslyn Road, Shoreham, has been rated ‘inadequate’ by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and placed in special measures – however the manager said standards at the home have been ‘turned around’ since the inspection.

The home, which looks after people with dementia, was rated inadequate in two of the five areas – safety and leadership – and requires improvement for three.

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A CQC report states: “Bathrooms were dirty with strong unpleasant odours and relatives raised concerns regarding the standards of cleanliness and hygiene. One person’s commode and toilet had not been cleaned and there was no soap or hand gel. Dirt on the bed sheets was identified and the floor was dirty.”

DM155343a.jpg Elreg House nursing home, Shoreham. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-150817-145746008DM155343a.jpg Elreg House nursing home, Shoreham. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-150817-145746008
DM155343a.jpg Elreg House nursing home, Shoreham. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-150817-145746008

Inspectors said armchairs in the home were ‘soiled and wet’, with some being covered by plastic bags.

Inspectors found there was a risk of infection and staff at Elreg House were ‘not consistently caring’.

The report states: “People spoke positively of the care they received; however care practices did not always respect people’s privacy and dignity.

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“It was clear staff had built rapports with people and they responded to staff with smiles.”

However staff said morale at the care home was low and said staffing levels were ‘not adequate’.

Inspectors said relatives and visitors were not aware of CCTV in the communal areas with ‘little consideration’ given to the impact on people’s human rights and privacy.

A spokeswoman for Elreg House, said the home is now ‘completely different’ and is ‘compliant’.

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She said: “Our residents are the most important people in this process.

“We have been making sure that all systems and processes have them at the forefront of any changes.

“We have been working very closely with both CQC and West Sussex County Council.

“We have sent daily and weekly action plans to update them on our progress, to which they have been very impressed by the work and commitment we have inputted into Elreg to turn it around.”

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She added the authorities said they had ‘never seen any other home turn systems and processes around in such a short space of time’.

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