Oxfordshire care home placed in 'special measures'

John Masefield House near Abingdon was rated 'inadequate' - the lowest possible rating- by the Care Quality Commission.

The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

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The inspectors found that practice at the care home 'placed people at risk of harm'.

The report, released on July 12, read: “Not all risks relating to people's health and safety were adequately assessed and safely managed.

“Information about the risk associated with people's needs or guidance, was not always available to care staff.

“The lack of accessible, clear and up to date guidance for staff put people at risk of unsafe care.

“The service had not ensured risks to people from nutrition and hydration were adequately assessed or documented in line with national guidance and not all staff were aware or adequately trained to support people eat and drink safely.

“We saw records in April 2023 stating that a member of staff responsible for providing food had not had formal training and this was required.”

John Masefield House is a residential care home that provides for up to 22 people needing nursing and personal care.

The service offers care for adults with physical disabilities but also guarantees care to people with learning disabilities.

The inspection also found that that care home did not have a sufficient number of suitably qualified staff to meet the patients’ needs.

The report continued: “Most people required support with eating their meals at lunchtime.

“We observed people having to wait a considerable time until care staff were free to support them with their meals.

“People told us they often had to wait, and one comment was, ‘Bells often taken about 30 minutes to be answered.’

“We observed on the day a member of staff attending to the call bell, switching it off, and then leaving the room to do something else and not returning.

“Relatives commented, "I feel that my relative is safe, but the staff do not have sufficient time allocated to sit and chat to residents to promote good mental health."

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The last inspection was carried out in September 2022 when the care home was rated requires improvement by the Care Quality Commission- the second lowest rating possible.

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action the watchdog had recommended at the check in September.

The new rating of ‘inadequate’ means that the care home has been placed in ‘special measures’ and if improvements are not made within 12 months, the watchdog will enforce closure measures.