Care home given final warning to improve

A LITTLEPORT care home has been given a final warning to improve by health watchdog, the Care Quality Commission.

Laburnum Lodge, in Victoria Street, was told improvements were needed following an inspection back in May but, at a follow-up visit carried out in October, inspectors found that residents were still not getting safe and appropriate care.

As such, the commission took immediate enforcement action and the owners of the home, which caters for people over 65 with dementia and physical disabilities, have been given until January 11 to improve or face further sanctions.

In its report, the CQC said that the home’s care and welfare of residents had not been assessed adequately in their care records and there were factual discrepancies within nutritional records.

Its reports read: “For example, one record stated a resident needed help cutting up their food but another document said they required no support at meal times.

“No records were in place for a resident who was receiving regular treatment from a physiotherapist for their injured leg and there were no instructions were available to staff on how to care for and manage a resident who had a catheter.”

Andrea Gordon, deputy director of operations for CQC, said: “This warning sends a clear message that Laburnum Lodge needs to address this issue or face further consequences.

“Our inspectors will return in the near future and if we find that the required progress is not made we won’t hesitate to use our legal powers to protect the people who use this service.”