Isle Of Wight Care Home Downgraded To ‘Inadequate’ By CQC

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has downgraded The Moorings Retirement Home on the Isle of Wight from Good to Inadequate following inspections earlier this year.

The home, run by The Moorings Care Limited, provides residential care for older people, including those living with dementia.

Inspectors visited in April and May after concerns were raised about the standard of care.

Significant Failings Identified

The CQC found a “significant deterioration” in care, with the service breaching nine regulations. These included failings in:

• Person-centred care

• Safe care and treatment

• Safeguarding

• Staffing

• Consent

• Management of the service

The home was also criticised for failing to notify the CQC about incidents affecting residents’ health, safety and welfare.

As a result, the regulator issued four warning notices and placed the service into special measures, which means it will be closely monitored and required to make urgent improvements.

Concerns Around Safety and Dignity

The inspection report highlighted worrying examples of poor practice. These included:

• Residents being woken as early as 5am and found in lounges before 6am.

• Some residents with long, dirty nails, soiled clothing or appearing unshaven.

• A lack of timely communication with families when loved ones became unwell or were admitted to hospital.

• Pain relief not being given when needed, with one resident only receiving 9 out of 104 prescribed doses.

• Delays in providing essential treatment for a resident with a painful hand condition.

Inspectors also raised concerns about safeguarding, with at least five recorded incidents of restraint or physical intervention, including one case where a walking stick was removed from a resident at high risk of falls.

CQC Statement

Neil Cox, CQC’s deputy director for the Isle of Wight, said:

“Leadership failures had allowed poor practices to go unchallenged, placing people at risk and undermining their dignity and independence.

"Staff weren’t given the right direction, systems, or support to make sure care was safe or person-centred.

"This isn’t acceptable in a place people call home.”

The home has been rated Inadequate in four categories – safe, effective, caring and well-led.

Its rating for responsive care has also fallen, from Good to Requires Improvement.

Next Steps

The CQC says it is monitoring The Moorings closely to ensure residents remain safe while improvements are made.

If changes are not delivered within the required timeframe, further enforcement action could follow.

The full inspection report will be published on the CQC website in the coming days.