As part of an in-depth investigation, the BBC found nearly one in five care homes across England were rated as either "requiring improvement" or "inadequate".
BBC England's data journalism team analysed Care Quality Commission (CQC) statistics and found the regulator now regards more than 2,500 care homes across England as "requiring improvement".
The number of "inadequate" homes stands at 194 across England, but this figure is down on both 2022 and 2023. This could either be due to services improving, care homes closing down, or both.
Scott Haslam, director in Wake Smith’s Clinical Negligence Team takes a look at recent research published, including regional stats for Yorkshire and The Humber, what the research means and what to look out for.
- CQC data shared with the BBC showed CQC overall ratings of adult care facilities in the Yorkshire and The Humber area were in-line with the national picture.
- As of Jan 2024, the data suggests that over 20% of all facilities in the Yorkshire and The Humber were rated as requiring improvement or inadequate (1041 were rated good; 282 required improvement; 56 were outstanding; 47 were not rated; and 17 were inadequate). The figure is even higher when those facilities which haven’t been rated are excluded.
- The Yorkshire and The Humber area showed a 4% reduction in the number of facilities rated ‘inadequate’ or ‘requires improvement’ from Jan 22 to Jan 24.
- Similar reductions were recorded in the North East of England (2% reduction) and The Midlands (4% reduction).
- However, there had been a significant increase in the number of facilities rated ‘inadequate’ or ‘requires improvement’ in the South East and the South West of England.
Scott said: “Whilst there appears to have been some slight improvement in the figures in the last two years, that will come as little comfort to the users of some of these services – and their families.
“The BBC’s analysis makes for uncomfortable reading, but it unfortunately comes as little surprise to those of us working within the patient safety sector.”
The CQC has said it encourages feedback about care services from the public.
It said its main priority was to "ensure the health and wellbeing of people" using care services. This included listening to what they, and their loved ones, tell them about services, to help them decide when and where to inspect, ensuring they have the full picture.
The CQC does not have any legal powers to investigate individual incidents, however.
The Independent Care Group which advocates for care homes, said across England, there was 152,000 vacancies and by 2035, they would need 440,000 extra staff in social care.
The CQC, which is currently being reviewed by the government, said it worked hard to ensure it minimised its impact on providers, while doing everything within its power to make sure people receive good quality, safe care.
It said it was reviewing and enhancing the training it gives to CQC staff to protect the welfare of providers following inspection.
What does this mean?
The article highlights that there are a handful of common themes in struggling care homes, which include:
- Gaps in staff training
- Mismanagement of medicines
- Accurate records not being kept
- Facilities not meeting safety and cleanliness standards
- Residents' rights to privacy and dignity not being upheld
- Poor management oversight
Scott recognises some of these issues from cases Wake Smith’s Clinical Negligence Team has been involved in.
He added all too often he is contacted by the families of service users who have been subject to poor treatment and mismanagement of their care, and experienced injury as a result.
“We find that when we review records received from care home, the quality and quantity of the same vary wildly from home to home.
“The data suggests that the vast majority of care homes are rated good or outstanding.
“Good care homes tend to have clear risk assessment processes in place, are able to respond to a service users changing clinical condition, and ensure that care plans are clearly recorded. This care plan then needs to be followed and there needs to be a decent management and accountability structure in place to ensure that any substandard care is identified and rectified.
“Unfortunately, in my work as a clinical negligence solicitor, I see those care homes which do not get this right. Those care homes which have failed to routinely and adequately complete risk assessments, and failed to document care plans tend to be the ones who end up being subject to clinical negligence claims.
“There are then those cases where care plans are not followed, and the records contain little to no information about the steps being taken to ensure the safety of the service users being cared for. Failing to keep accurate and detailed records often leads to a lack of communication between the people responsible for providing care and reducing the risks posed to service users.
“It is no surprise that these issues are routinely seen in cases involving serious falls or the development of severe pressure ulcers (also known as bed sores, or pressure sores) in care homes. Issues with medication – failing to provide medication, or providing the wrong medication or the wrong dose – also tend to arise when care homes fail to get these basics right.”
What can you look out for?
In terms of advice for people who are currently having to make the difficult choice of which service to use, Scott says there are some practical things you can do.
“Having a look on the CQC website to identify suitable care homes and their relevant ratings can assist in making the right choice for you, but organisations like the NHS and Age UK have helpful websites which include information and advice of what to look out for and how to choose the right provider.
“And for those who are unhappy with aspects of care provided by their, or their loved one’s care home, communication is key. Concerns needs to be raised quickly and in an appropriate manner.
“All care providers will have a complaints process, but concerns can also be escalated to the local authority or the CQC. Complaints about nursing care can be raised with The Nursing and Midwifery Council (the NMC). Also, do not underestimate the impact that your local MP can have in such matters, particularly when a response to a complaint may not be forthcoming, or care remains unsatisfactory.
In conclusion Scott said: “Ultimately, complaints should be investigated and relevant action taken to improve deficiencies in care.
“All too often, clinical negligence solicitors, such as the team at Wake Smith, end up being involved when things go wrong and a service user sustains injury or dies as a result of acts or omissions in the care provided.”
For more information on Wake Smith clinical negligence services click here or call Scott Haslam on 0114 224 2127.
Case Study: Claim for pressure sore injuries sustained from negligent nursing careAdvice Hub: Common cases of nursing home negligence
Link to original BBC article: Runcorn care home accused of neglect by elderly resident's mother - BBC News
