CQC identify two Caterham care homes ‘requiring improvement’.
Oakwood, a home in Woodview Way for seven people with learning disabilities, epilepsy or sensory impairment, was judged not up to scratch in its effectiveness and leadership by Care Quality Commission (CQC) officers. But it was judged “good” for its safety, care and responsiveness.
The CQC team said they found the environment in the home clinical with little personalisation and suggested individualising residents’ rooms quicker.
On the plus side, staff were seen to be caring and attentive, residents were treated with dignity and relatives were happy with the activities provided.Meanwhile, Burntwood Lodge in Burntwood Lane – which houses six people with learning disabilities or dementia – received a similarly mixed report.
Some clinical waste was disposed of in general waste bins and then left in the home’s driveway. And residents’ records were not always up to date, said the inspection report.
Among various positives, the CQC team said residents received thoughtful and attentive care.
We have discussed previously the circumstances where clinical waste and other waste-related issues can be used to identify deeper problems during a CQC inspection, but in this case, we might feel a little more sympathetic.
In this case, and conscious that we don’t have any detail or exactly what was found, there seems to be a considerable similarity between the clinical wastes handling, as described, and that required by many Local Authorities for domestic clinical wastes.
Of course, the two situations are different since in this case the producer is a commercial healthcare provider. Notwithstanding, the similarities are great and what is wrong in one situation is expected in another.
Clearly, the whole issue needs a shake-up, and the best place to start shaking is the Environment Agency. They should clarify and eliminate discordance such as this, but don’t hold your breath waiting for action!
Blenkharn Environmental, clinical waste, clinical waste discussion forum, clinical waste disposal, community, environment, Environment Agency, healthcare waste, regulation, waste management, waste regulation, Care Home waste
Last updated: Tuesday, June 14, 2016
