Swaffham care home put into special measures after inspection

A Swaffham care home has been deemed inadequate, and put into special measures, after an inspection revealed health and safety risks had been identified there, but had not been addressed.

Bosses of the Paddocks home, in Cley Road, say they are "very disappointed" by the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) findings, but insist measures are already being taken to address its failings.

The verdict follows a three-day assessment of the home, which was undertaken before the coronavirus crisis.

Inspectors criticised the home's communications and recording procedures, which they said contributed to a lack of prompt action to ensure risks were reduced and care needs were met.

They added: "The environment posed some health and safety hazards, some of which had been identified by the service but not acted upon."

Concerns were also raised over hygiene practices at the home, whose kitchen was found to be "not clean."

The home was found to be inadequate for both safety and leadership and to require improvement on the grounds of whether it was effective, caring and responsive.

It had previously been rated good at its last inspection in 2017.

In a statement, the home's owners, Castlemeadow Care, said: "We are very disappointed that our usual high standards of service to our residents and their families at The Paddocks has not been met as identified in our recent CQC Inspection.

"We have immediately responded to the findings highlighted in the report by putting a new General Manager in place and have been working closely with the CQC to do everything possible to return The Paddocks to a good rating.

All care plan documentation has been reviewed with additional training provided for all our care staff.

"Improvements have been made to our kitchen which has resulted in reviewing our current systems and make all changes necessary for continuous improvement.

"Following the completion of an action plan, the Care Quality Commission was satisfied with the level of improvements that had already been completed and the plan to move the home forward."