Latest news with #LindaHirst
BBC News
a day ago
- Health
- BBC News
West Ridings Care Home in Outwood placed in special measures
A West Yorkshire care home has been rated inadequate and placed in special measures after inspectors raised several Ridings Care Home in Wakefield, which cares for people with dementia, mental health illnesses and disabilities, has been told to make urgent improvements to its service by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).The CQC said the home had failed to report several safeguarding issues "appropriately" including one incident where a resident was "physically abused" by another in a communal area. Advinia Care Homes, which runs the home, has been contacted for comment. Inspectors said the home was not well led, having been without a registered manager for several months at the time of the CQC's visit in May. The report said a "lack of continuity" in leadership had "impacted on the care people received and staff morale".The regulator also highlighted instances of action not being taken when residents lost weight or needed follow-up health checks. 'Staff were kind' Residents were complimentary about the quality of the food and cleanliness of the home while talking to inspectors with some saying they "felt safe and enjoyed living" at West Ridings. However, some also said there were not enough staff to meet their needs, with one resident quoted as saying: "They don't have time to chat with me. Having a conversation would be helpful and nice to have."Linda Hirst, the CQC's deputy director of operations for the north, said: "Despite these understaffing issues, people and relatives told us that staff were kind when they did have time to speak to them."Leaders need to support staff to have the time to meet the social needs of residents as well as their physical needs."We have told leaders where we expect to see rapid improvements and will continue to monitor the home closely to keep people safe while this happens." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Blackpool GP practice in special measures after inspection
A GP practice has been put in special measures and told it needs to make "rapid improvements".Glenroyd Medical in Blackpool was found by inspectors not to investigate or report safety concerns, not properly check staff were suitable, or to give the right training. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said the service had "deteriorated" from its previous Outstanding rating. The practice said it was working towards resolving the issues raised by the watchdog. Glenroyd Medical serves about 14,000 people in Blackpool and Bispham. Both of its surgeries were inspected in April and May. Inspectors said staff did not work well together because they had not "received effective support, supervision and development".Fire safety management was found to be "unclear, meaning people could be put at risk in an emergency," the CQC said. But patients felt listened to and were treated with "kindness and compassion". Linda Hirst, CQC deputy director of operations for the region, said: "When we inspected Glenroyd Medical, although we found caring staff, it was disappointing to see such a deterioration in the quality of care being provided since we last inspected. "Poor leadership had led to people receiving unsafe care, and we found several areas where urgent improvements are needed to keep people safe."In a statement on its website, Glenroyd Medical said its inspection "did not go as hoped" and that it was working to fix the problems raised by the August deadline given by the CQC. It added: "The matters highlighted focus mostly around recording of processes, procedures and policies, recording of team learning, HR documentation, remedial property work etc. and not on the 'Clinical standards, performance delivery or caring for you as patients, for which our rating was good."We will continue to provide you with a high-quality primary health care." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Castleford care home placed in special measures by regulator
A care home which specialises in looking after people with dementia has been put into special measures to protect its residents, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Park Care Home in Castleford was inspected by the regulator in March and April after concerns were reported, and it was given an "inadequate" Hirst from the CQC said poor leadership and a lack of staff had led to people being placed at risk of home, run by Maria Mallaband Care Group (MMCG (CCH) Limited) said it was "deeply disappointed" by the outcome and added it "apologised unreservedly to residents, families and staff". Manor Park, on Leeds Road in Cutsyke, provides nursing and personal care to up to 75 people, some of whom are living with CQC found people's basic care needs were not being met, with some residents looking unkempt and some being left alone in communal areas. On one occasion, one person was left in the bath with nobody around to help them get were told by residents they were bored and felt there was a lack of activities and opportunities to go out, which affected their wellbeing and made them feel unhappy. Ms Hirst, who is CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said: "People's relatives raised concerns that understaffing meant their loved ones weren't receiving safe or appropriate care. "Staff had also raised concerns with leaders about unsafe staffing levels and felt they had not been listened to as the situation continued."She added: "It's unacceptable that on several occasions, inspectors had to intervene and locate staff to assist people as nobody was available to support them. "For example, one person was extremely distressed and shouting out continually for help, but staff didn't respond to them or take any action to alleviate their distress until inspectors intervened." Following this inspection, the overall rating for the home has moved down from good to CQC identified five breaches of regulation relating to safeguarding, safe care and treatment, staffing, person-centred care and how the service is service has been placed in special measures which means it will be kept under close review by CQC to keep people safe and it will be monitored to check sufficient improvements have been made. The CQC has begun the process of taking regulatory action to address the concerns which MMCG (CCH) Limited has the right to appeal.A spokesperson for the care home said a number of "immediate steps" had been taken to address areas of concern, including around leadership, staffing levels and training. They added: "Manor Park is committed to addressing all concerns raised as soon as possible and are working closely with the CQC and local authority. "It will maintain regular contact with families, supported by clearer lines of communication and dedicated points of contact for any concerns – an approach that has already been well received. "Our focus now is on delivering meaningful and sustained improvements, and on restoring confidence in the care we provide." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Care agency rating upgraded after improvements
A care agency providing residential support for people with complex needs which was branded "inadequate" has improved to a "good" rating after a new inspection. Lifeways Community Care in Halifax, which supports 26 people with mental health issues, autism and learning disabilities, was also removed from special measures, said watchdog Care Quality Commission (CQC). One of the main improvements was helping residents to "maximise their independence" which included going on holiday abroad, finding a job, taking control of their finances and even getting a tattoo. A CQC spokesperson said: "People using the service were excited to tell us about the support they received from staff and how they'd been empowered to make decisions about their lives." The inspection took place in November and December 2024 and involved 11 different supported-living houses in Halifax. Previously the service was said to be poorly managed and the care was not "person-centred" but after a new manager was installed the rating for being "safe and responsive" was upgraded to "good". Linda Hirst, CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said: "When we inspected the service, we were very pleased to see significant improvements to people's safety and quality of life. "People told us they felt safe and listened to, and one person compared their home and support to a family." She also said one resident had built the confidence to go out into the community for the first time in several years and another was able to go on holiday abroad for the first time since they were aged two. Inspectors also found staff and leaders knew how to protect people from risks of abuse or avoidable harm and residents reported they were able to do the activities they wanted, such as theatre trips, discos and barge trips. People were also successfully matched to staff with similar interests to support relationship-building, they said. A Lifeways Community Care spokesperson said: "This is a fantastic achievement by a dedicated team who've worked tirelessly to deliver on an intensive improvement plan." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Care Quality Commission
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Care agency rating upgraded after improvements
A care agency providing residential support for people with complex needs which was branded "inadequate" has improved to a "good" rating after a new inspection. Lifeways Community Care in Halifax, which supports 26 people with mental health issues, autism and learning disabilities, was also removed from special measures, said watchdog Care Quality Commission (CQC). One of the main improvements was helping residents to "maximise their independence" which included going on holiday abroad, finding a job, taking control of their finances and even getting a tattoo. A CQC spokesperson said: "People using the service were excited to tell us about the support they received from staff and how they'd been empowered to make decisions about their lives." The inspection took place in November and December 2024 and involved 11 different supported-living houses in Halifax. Previously the service was said to be poorly managed and the care was not "person-centred" but after a new manager was installed the rating for being "safe and responsive" was upgraded to "good". Linda Hirst, CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said: "When we inspected the service, we were very pleased to see significant improvements to people's safety and quality of life. "People told us they felt safe and listened to, and one person compared their home and support to a family." She also said one resident had built the confidence to go out into the community for the first time in several years and another was able to go on holiday abroad for the first time since they were aged two. Inspectors also found staff and leaders knew how to protect people from risks of abuse or avoidable harm and residents reported they were able to do the activities they wanted, such as theatre trips, discos and barge trips. People were also successfully matched to staff with similar interests to support relationship-building, they said. A Lifeways Community Care spokesperson said: "This is a fantastic achievement by a dedicated team who've worked tirelessly to deliver on an intensive improvement plan." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Care Quality Commission
