Panorama probe care home now in special measures

A care home that was the subject of a BBC Panorama investigation has been put into special measures.

Addison Court in Crawcrook, Gateshead, has been rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Inspections in November 2023 found the care home was "not safe" for residents and "people were not always safeguarded from abuse and avoidable harm".

Prestwick Care, which runs the care home, said it was "disappointed" with the report's findings and was working to address the issues identified.

The CQC report says the care provider "referred allegations of abuse to the local authority safeguarding team" but "immediate action was not always taken to keep people safe". Details of the allegations were not included in the report.

In one instance, a concern was raised to staff but the allegation was "not investigated impartially".

Linda Hirst, CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said leaders at the care home were working on an improvement plan at the time of the inspection but it was too early to see any progress.

Ms Hirst said: "When we inspected Addison Court, it was disappointing to see a significant deterioration in the level of care being provided."

She said incidents were not always investigated quickly enough to keep people safe.

"For example, falls in the home had increased significantly between June and July, but nothing had been done to check why and to put preventative measures in place to keep people safe," she said.

There was an increase in agency staff employed at Addison Court but they told inspectors they did not know people's needs well enough.

One member of staff had not received an induction and did not know how to support people in distress, the CQC said.

Medicine were not safely managed and records showed that some doses had been missed with no explanation. One missed dosage was for a "critical" medicine to treat Parkinson's disease.

The home's accident analysis failed to explore trends such as "unexplained bruising" on residents.

Ms Hirst said some positive areas of care were seen. This included the care home having a "welcoming and spacious" environment that had been adapted for the needs of residents living with dementia.

A spokesperson for Prestwick Care said: "We have considered the comments provided by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and we are disappointed with the findings of the report, which indicate a deviation from our customary high standards at Addison Court Care Home.

"Following the issuing of the report, extensive efforts have been undertaken to rectify the highlighted concerns.

"We are also actively collaborating with the local authority, the CQC, and relevant stakeholders to address the identified issues.

"A series of measures, including changes in the management structure of the home, have been implemented as part of this concerted effort.

"We maintain a strong belief that Addison Court will be assessed by the CQC to have reinstated the former exemplary standards during its forthcoming inspection."

A BBC Panorama investigation found overseas staff at Addison Court felt "exploited and trapped" at the care home due to their contracts.

Staff told an undercover reporter how his contract required him to pay Prestwick Care more than £4,000 if he left the company within five years.

Prestwick Care denied its contracts are designed to intimidate its employees and said it was reviewing repayment clauses in its contracts.

Undercover filming also showed Bunty Malhotra, CEO of Prestwick Care, saying that he would protect staff if they made mistakes.

Prestwick Care told Panorama suggestions of systematic wrongdoing or bad practice at its care homes was unfair and inaccurate.

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