Totland Care Home Told To Improve After CQC Finds ‘Widespread Failures’

An Isle of Wight care home has been told it must improve after inspectors identified breaches of legal regulations relating to safe care, consent and governance.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said Little Hayes, on Church Hill in Totland Bay, exposed residents to “serious risks” of avoidable harm. The report, published on 19 February, highlighted what inspectors described as widespread failings.

Little Hayes was rated ‘requires improvement’ overall, as well as in the categories of safe, effective and well-led.

The home’s ratings for caring and responsive were not reassessed during the latest inspection, having previously been judged ‘good’.

Inspectors raised concerns about the condition of the environment, stating that furniture in a first-floor lounge was dirty, including an armchair with a large tear, while a cushion in the laundry room was stained with faeces.

The report said failures to maintain a safe environment left people at risk of harm, including falls from height, burns, unsafe evacuation and injury from unsecured or hazardous items.

Inspectors also found staff did not always follow correct procedures when seeking and recording informed consent in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

The legislation is designed to protect and empower people who may lack capacity to make their own decisions about care and treatment.

The CQC said leaders did not consistently show sufficient oversight to identify and address risks promptly.

Significant concerns relating to medicines management, environmental safety, infection prevention and control, consent and care planning were not effectively managed until highlighted by inspectors.

However, the report also included positive feedback from relatives, who said they felt their loved ones were safe.

Residents told inspectors they were happy at the home, and staff were described as kind, caring and respectful.

Inspectors noted residents were able to take part in a range of activities, including meetings, arts and crafts sessions and church services of different denominations.

The home’s provider, Oakray Care (Little Hayes) Ltd, has been approached for comment.