Residents moved from care home after inspectors reveal long list of failings

The 85-bed Alexander Court in Harrogate, described as having “accommodation similar to a hotel exclusively for the elderly”, has had its nursing registration removed by watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Local council and NHS officials say they have concerns about the home over “a variety of issues, ranging from medication and nursing care to the comfort and the dignity with which residents are treated”.

The CQC, which issued a damning report about Alexander Court in June, arrived for a follow-up inspection earlier this month to find one of the residents, William O’Connell, 76, had died two days earlier. Mr O’Connell was said to be “dribbling and choking” while being fed and “a short time later was found grey and slumped forward in his chair”.

Debbie Westhead, CQC’s Deputy Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care in the North, said the follow-up inspection “resulted in further concerns”.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said it and the local NHS had already placed qualified social care staff and medical personnel at the home after “a series of concerns” were raised. He said officials will “now move forward to find alternative accommodation by the end of this week for those residents of Alexander Court who are registered for nursing care.”

He said arrangements were being put in place in case the remaining 38 residents also needed to be moved.

Esteem Care, which runs the home, said: “The Alexander Court staff team and provider Himat Gami have extended their deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr O’Connell.”