Derbyshire Nursing Home Rated Inadequate After Safety Concerns

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has downgraded Haddon House Nursing Home in Clowne, Derbyshire, from good to inadequate overall and placed it in special measures following an inspection in August.

The home, run by Monarch Consultants Limited, can accommodate up to 40 people, including older people and those living with dementia or mental health conditions. At the time of the inspection, 33 people were living at the service.

CQC inspected the home following concerns raised by partner organisations and as part of its ongoing monitoring. Inspectors identified breaches relating to safe care and treatment and the overall management of the service.

Ratings for safety, effectiveness and leadership fell from good to inadequate, while caring and responsiveness were downgraded from good to requires improvement.

Inspectors found weaknesses in the management of medicines, wound care and the monitoring of people’s needs. Records did not demonstrate that a person with a pressure sore had been repositioned frequently enough, with gaps of up to 10 hours. One person received time-critical medication late, while another did not receive meals modified according to their care plan to reduce the risk of choking.

CQC said staff sought healthcare advice to check the individuals’ safety after inspectors intervened. The medication had been ordered and was administered later that day, with healthcare professionals providing assurance.

Inspectors also found that medicine cupboards were sometimes left unlocked, expired medicines were not disposed of safely, and managers could not provide a wound audit or confirm how many people had wounds. The home had also failed to investigate a care record referring to an unauthorised restriction on a person’s freedom.

Staff reported limited confidence in management, while families raised concerns about contacting managers and communication. Inspectors found that important information about people’s care was not always shared between staff, affecting the consistency of support.

However, staff demonstrated kindness and knowledge of people’s personal backgrounds, with photographs and keepsakes helping residents feel at home.

CQC said the service had failed to meet expected care standards, although leaders had recruited a new regional manager and clinical lead before the assessment and committed to a stronger management presence.

Special measures will involve close monitoring while the home makes improvements. CQC has also begun further regulatory action to address the concerns, which the provider has the right to appeal.

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