Footage of care home staff captured on secret camera leads to watchdog demanding improvements

Carol Brough and her sister Susan Sharpe planted the camera by their father John Elmer’s bedside after becoming concerned about the care he was receiving at Minster Grange Care Home.

The sisters were worried about bruises they had seen on Mr Elmer’s arms and hands and the camera footage fed their concerns over aspects of his care.

This included staff failing to use a hoist to bring him to his feet after falling over in his room.

They complained to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which carried out unannounced inspections of the home in November.

Following the visit, the CQC concluded that the home requires improvement in four key areas of safety, effectiveness, caring and responsiveness.

An inspection report also states that the home was ‘inadequate’ in the category of being ‘well led’.

The CQC issued a warning notice and said in its report: “This inspection was in part prompted by concerns shared with us by the family of a person who lived at Minster Grange Care Home.

“Concerns related to poor moving and handling practices, infection prevention and control issues, staff training and the response to accidents and incidents.

“We used this information to plan our inspection.”

It said: “Although we saw examples of kind and caring interactions between staff and people who used the service, we also observed inconsistencies, where the care and support provided was not effective or dignified.”

The CQC identified gaps in staff training and also noted concerns relating to the induction and supervision process.

This included insufficient detail in accident and incident reports and follow-up procedures.

It said areas were unclean and showed evidence of ingrained dirt, but relatives of people who used the service told inspectors they felt it was safe.

There were positives highlighted in the report such as generally positive feedback about the kind and caring staff.

Home manager Alison Redhead said the CQC’s concerns had been accepted and were ‘being used to motivate both improvements in the delivery of quality assurance and outcomes for our residents.’

She said: “Details of proposed improvements have been submitted to CQC. These will be supported by additional management resources designed to ensure systems to assess, monitor, and improve quality and safety are embedded at all staff levels.”

Mrs Brough said a director of the company owning the home, Life Style Care plc, had apologised to them.

She said her father, who is 77 with dementia, was now at a Selby home where they were happy with his care.