Care home with food left out of date rated inadequate

A care home where inspectors found food was being kept out of date and residents were confined to their rooms due to a broken lift has been rated inadequate.

Moorhead Rest Home in Accrington, Lancashire, was found to have a catalogue of safety issues that put people living there at risk of harm.

The residential care home, which provides care for people living with dementia and disabilities, has been placed in special measures and will be closely monitored to ensure improvements are made, the Care Quality Commission watchdog said.

The home, run by M.M.R Care Ltd, was previously rated as good under another provider.

An inspection in August resulted in three warning notices being issued to focus the provider’s attention on making significant improvements around effective management, staffing, and safe care.

Sheila Grant, CQC director of operations in the north, said the broken lift meant some had to stay in their bedrooms all day, and leaders did not have plans in place to support those who could not access areas without the lift.

Inspectors also found two people sharing a bedroom without appropriate consent in place.

Rusty toilet frames and medicines were left out, along with food items beyond their best before date stored in the kitchen, with one item more than a year out of date.

Open cupboards with cleaning chemicals and electricals, and cluttered wheelchairs and walking frames in corridors were also found.

Other issues included a lack of staff, training and safety equipment to assist people, such as slings and hoists, not being regularly serviced.

The CQC said people did share positive feedback and inspectors witnessed staff being kind to people who appeared relaxed.

Ms Grant added: “We have told Moorhead Rest Home where we expect to see significant improvements and will continue to monitor them closely during this time to ensure people living at the home are safe.

“We will return to check on their progress and will not hesitate to take further action if we are not assured people are receiving the care they have a right to expect."

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