Admissions halted at nursing home

Admissions at a Bristol nursing home have been suspended after a report highlighted a series of problems.

Issues at Sunnymead Manor in Southmead included people suffering from dementia being ignored by staff despite repeated calls for help.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said inspectors also found residents left with food on their faces and clothing.

The owner of the home, Mimosa Healthcare, said it “unreservedly apologies for any distress” caused.

“Mimosa Healthcare regrets that in recent months it has not delivered in certain areas to the high standards of care the company expects and delivers throughout its business.

“We also acknowledge that this has also fallen short of the high standards rightly demanded by residents, relatives, the CQC and other partners,” it said.

The CQC has given Mimosa seven days to produce plans for dealing with the problems it identified.

Inspectors from the CQC visited the home after concerns were raised through the NHS by a member of staff working there.

They found bedrooms at Sunnymead had “offensive odours and stained carpets” while morning medication was given to residents too late.

There was also no evidence of training for staff in how to manage wound care and infection control.

Ian Biggs, from the CQC, said the care at the home “fell far short of the standards people have a right to expect”.

“It is even more disturbing when you consider that many of the residents here are frail, vulnerable people who are the least able to complain about the poor and unhygienic environment.

“We found clear evidence that the home is not maintaining essential standards of cleanliness, with the risk that staff and residents are exposed to healthcare associated infection.”

Mimosa added it took the “concerns and issues highlighted within this report extremely seriously”.

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