Watchdog orders action over care home failings

Hemsworth Park in Kinsley, near Pontefract, has voluntarily suspended admissions and disciplined staff after the critical report from watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Inspectors found care at the home, which looks after older people and some younger adults with varying needs, was severely lacking.

Issues included one resident having gone without several medications for eight days and another not being offered any food or drink at tea time for five days out of seven.

The CQC’s regional director for the North, Malcolm Bower-Brown, said: “The failings at Hemsworth Park are a real concern and we have told the provider where immediate improvements need to be made.”

Inspectors visited in April and found the home, run by Four Seasons Health Care, was failing to meet five national standards of quality and safety. They said call bells were not within easy reach of residents and care plans were not always followed.

A spokeswoman for Four Seasons said: “We deeply regret that in this instance some aspects of the care provided at Hemsworth Park did not meet the standards we expect to deliver and that our residents are entitled to receive.”

She said they had implemented an improvement plan and voluntarily suspended admissions.

“The wellbeing and comfort of residents is our priority and we have taken the inspectors’ criticisms very seriously,” she said, adding that they had taken disciplinary action where needed.

The spokeswoman said care plans had been reviewed and staff given more training.