'Inadequate' care service put in special measures

A care service that supports vulnerable adults living in their own homes has been put under special measures after being rated "inadequate" by a watchdog.

Some staff at Radis Community Care, at Caroline Square in Portsmouth, were described as "rude" while others used "derogatory language", inspections by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in January and February found.

The report also showed risks to people's health, safety and wellbeing had not always been identified, with some users not receiving their medicines or being left without support to go to the toilet.

Radis Community Care said it had taken the findings "extremely seriously" and was working on a "robust and urgent improvement plan".

The service was providing personal care to 27 people at the time of the inspection, which was the first under its current owner.

Neil Cox, CQC deputy director of operations in the south, blamed "ineffective leadership" which had led to "a poor culture and shortfalls in the standard of care provided".

He continued: "Staff didn't always recognise or report potential abuse and hadn't escalated safety concerns when they should, which put people at risk of harm.

"One person had lost consciousness during personal care on two occasions but this hadn't been reported.

"Leaders didn't always investigate incidents or share learnings with staff to make improvements."

He added staff had highlighted issues with "bullying" and "distrust".

Paula Hoggarth, group operations director at Radis Community Care, said: "The safety, dignity and wellbeing of the people we support is - and always will be - our top priority.

"Since the inspection, we have been working closely with our internal quality and compliance team and external partners to deliver a robust and urgent improvement plan.

"We are encouraged by the progress made over the past four months and have met the key improvement milestones set out by the CQC.

"Record-keeping, reporting and day-to-day care oversight have significantly improved".

The CQC issued four warning notices following the inspection to focus attention on making widespread improvements around safe care and treatment, consent, safeguarding and the management of the service.

The service will now be kept monitored to check sufficient improvements have been made.

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