Call for inquiry into state of borough's care homes

Director of Thurrock Disability Network, John Williams, has made the appeal after a detailed investigation by the Gazette exposed the alarming state of several homes that care for the elderly and infirm, some so serious, police have been called in.

Last month the Gazette reported that The Nursing Home' at 51-53 Mollands Lane (run by Estuary Housing) has been under investigation by police since July after allegations regarding ill-treatment of residents.

Five members of staff are currently suspended.

In the wake of our investigation Mr Williams has spoken up after studying a report by the Commission for Social Care Inspectorate (CSCI) which has the power to inspect all care homes. He was shocked by their findings.

He said: "The conditions that some of our most vulnerable live in are appalling.

"Where is their dignity. In fact where are their human rights?"

Mr Williams pointed to the conditions one particular bedridden patient in Mollands Lane was living in.

CSCI inspected the home in September 2006 and noted: "A room in which a resident is permanently cared for in bed, has marked walls, chipped paint, a dirty radiator and cobwebs."

Six months later, the inspectors came back and once again commented that: "The bedridden residents' walls are badly stained and damaged, The carpet is threadbare."

Director of Supported Housing and Care for Estuary Housing, Kathryn Bennett said: "There are logistical reasons for the condition of the room: the client needs to use a hoist and that quickly causes wear and tear."

Two government reports on the, care home which houses eight residents with learning difficulties, documented a host of deficiencies in the way the home was run, including severe criticisms of Estuary Housing's management.

The reports highlighted vulnerable residents who had access to medication, bleach and hazardous chemicals, high sickness levels among staff, concerns regarding staff training, sickness levels and the identity of staff.

Mrs Bennett said: "We accept many of the recommendations.

"The inspections took place at a time of transition in respect of management and day care provision."

Estuary Housing were asked to account for why vulnerable people had access to hazardous substances.

She said: "We have a system in place. On this particular occasion we didn't ensure it was in place."

The Gazette has subsequently discovered that another police investigation is taking place at Gallimore Lodge, Meesons Lane, run by Family Mosaic and two further internal investigations have taken place at Breakaway' run by East Living Ltd in Park Lane, Aveley, and the last remaining home run by Thurrock Council at Collins House in Corringham.

Head of Care Services at Family Mosaic, Trudi Tayeg said: "Yes, we reported a matter to the police. I cannot go into specifics but if we find something untoward then a thorough investigation takes place. It is a matter of transparency and being confident in your own rigorous system of self assessment."

A spokesperson for Breakaway Homes said: "We cannot comment as this matter is now subject to an employment tribunal"

In relation to Collins House, Thurrock Council press spokesperson Stephanie McNair said: "There has been an internal investigation but this was in relation to staff behaviour towards fellow staff."

The Gazette has sat down with Mr Williams, who has over 40 years experience in the care industry and examined government inspection reports for the 28 care homes in the borough.

He said: "They say that a civilised society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. Can the people of Thurrock say they are happy with some of the findings from these reports?"

Mr Williams first pointed to the homes that had received good reports.

He said: "There is not an epidemic of poor care. There are many examples of good practice and good reports that illustrate that it can be done."accept many of the recommendations.

"The inspections took place at a time of transition in respect of management and day care provision."

Estuary Housing were asked to account for why vulnerable people had access to hazardous substances.

She said: "We have a system in place. On this particular occasion we didn't ensure it was in place."

Another police investigation is taking place at Gallimore Lodge, Meesons Lane, run by Family Mosaic and two further internal investigations have taken place at Breakaway' run by East Living Ltd in Park Lane, Aveley, and the last remaining home run by Thurrock Council at Collins House in Corringham.

Head of Care Services at Family Mosaic, Trudi Tayeg said: "Yes, we reported a matter to the police. I cannot go into specifics but if we find something untoward then a thorough investigation takes place.

"It is a matter of transparency and being confident in your own rigorous system of self assessment."

A spokesperson for East Living Ltd said: "We cannot comment as this matter is now subject to an employment tribunal."

In relation to Collins House, Thurrock Council press spokesperson Stephanie McNair said: "There has been an internal investigation but this was in relation to staff behaviour towards fellow staff."

Gazette reporter Michael Casey sat down with Mr Williams, who has over 40 years experience in the care industry as he examined government inspection reports for the 28 care homes in the borough.

Mr Williams concluded: "They say that a civilised society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. Can the people of Thurrock say they are happy with some of the findings from these reports?"

However, Mr Williams also pointed to the homes that had received good reports.

He said: "There is not an epidemic of poor care. There are many examples of good practice and good reports that illustrate that it can be done."