Care staff sacked at Gateshead care home

May 29 2011 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

THREE carers have been sacked from a beleaguered North home after an elderly woman was left with an untreated broken leg after falling.

The workers were bathing the resident, who has not been named, at Armstrong House Care Home in Bensham, Gateshead, when she slipped and fell.

But astonishingly, the trio of carers failed to checked the woman for injuries, did not follow protocol and document the incident, and they didn’t inform any other staff members.

The injury only came to light the following day when the frail resident was being visited by relatives who spotted bruising.

The broken leg was discovered when the woman was taken to hospital to be checked over, and carers responsible for bathing her were immediately suspended. It has now emerged that they have been dismissed following an internal investigation.

The horrifying case of neglect – which took place last month – is the latest in a catalogue of concerns to affect the home, which was named in April 2010 among six of the worst run by Southern Cross Healthcare in the region following inspections by the Care Quality Commission.

The home, on Lobley Hill Road, was given a ‘poor’ rating after inspectors discovered medication errors, residents left cold and covered in food stains and a stench of urine and odour filling the home.

That same month Gateshead Council stepped in to closely monitor the home in a bid to boost standards, after concerns were raised about shocking standards of care. It was also closed to new admissions in its dementia unit.

The move appeared to work and at its last inspection the Care Quality commission upgraded its status to ‘adequate’ and gave it a good rating for its health and personal care provision.

Last night, Steve Smith, the area manager for Southern Cross Healthcare, told how swift action was taken at Armstrong House after hearing of the elderly resident’s injury. He said: “We can confirm that three former employees have been dismissed from our Armstrong House Care Home in Gateshead following a thorough investigation of an incident related to the care provided to one of our residents.

“As soon as we were made aware of the incident, we followed company procedures and suspended all three members of staff pending the completion of a thorough investigation. Upon completion of this investigation, we took the decision to terminate the employment of the three employees involved.

“Throughout this process, we worked closely with the Safeguarding Team at Gateshead Council, who confirmed that they were happy with our handling of the situation.

“The resident involved received medical support as soon as the home was made aware of the incident.”