Concerns Raised As Several Island Care Homes Rated Below Standard

Almost one in ten care homes on the Isle of Wight have been rated as ‘inadequate’ or ‘requires improvement’, according to the latest inspections by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

One home, Autumn House Residential Home in Sandown, is currently rated inadequate, while five others – including Highfield House Nursing Home and 22 Argyll Street in Ryde, Inver House and The Elms Care Home in Bembridge, and Byrnhill Grove Registered Care Home in Ventnor – are marked as requiring improvement.

The CQC regularly inspects and publishes reports on care homes across the country, rating services from outstanding to inadequate. Some older or closed services are listed as “archived,” meaning they are no longer part of an active registration.

Cllr Chris Jarman, Leader of the Empowering Islanders Group and a member of the council’s Adult Social Care, Public Health and Housing Needs Committee, described the findings as “very concerning.”

He said:

“The Isle of Wight faces some of the most acute pressures in the country due to our ageing population, limited funding, and workforce shortages.

"It’s vital that significant investment is made to expand care provision and support both families and residents who rely on these services.”

Cllr Jarman called for greater government support to help fund larger, modern care facilities and improve conditions for those receiving care across the Island.

In response, Cllr Clare Mosdell and Cllr Sarah Redrup, who chair the council’s Adult Social Care Committee, said they are working closely with all six providers to ensure improvements are made.

Their joint statement read:

“The Isle of Wight Council works alongside all care providers to make sure services meet the needs and expectations of residents and their families.

"While the majority of Island care homes are rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’, where issues are identified, we require providers to produce and deliver an improvement plan.

"If those improvements are not made, we will take formal action where necessary.”

The councillors added that progress at each of the affected homes continues to be closely monitored.