Report highlights concerns at Nailsea care home

A care home on the outskirts of Nailsea for people with dementia does not have enough staff to consistently meet people's needs, an inspection has found.

The unannounced inspection of The Granary at Wraxall, by the Care Quality Commission, also found not enough being done to protect people there from harm.

Two members of staff were arrested last month on suspicion of assaulting and neglecting an elderly resident there.

Owner Shaw Healthcare said it took the report 'extremely seriously'.

The CQC, which visited the home in January, said it was not meeting five of the six standards it should be and this was having a moderate impact on residents.

A home cares for up to 78 people over 65 needs to take action to improve the care and welfare of people which use the service.

Its report said the home was focusing on meeting basic care needs rather than good person-centred support.

CQC regional director Ian Biggs said this mainly came down to staffing.

He said: "We were concerned that the numbers of staff and the degree of skills that they've got on each shift weren't adequate to make sure people were kept properly safe, but also that people were able to be cared for with the dignity and respect that they deserve."

A Shaw Healthcare spokesman said: "The findings of the recent CQC inspection at The Granary have been taken extremely seriously.

"Following receiving a draft version of the inspection report the areas identified as requiring improvement received immediate attention.

"We continue to work closely with North Somerset Council to ensure standards are maintained."

They have been asked to send the CQC a report by Thursday, March 7, setting out the action it will take to meet the expected standards.

Concerns were first raised with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) last June in relation to the care and welfare of people at the home. 

Two members of staff remain on bail after being arrested in February.

They have been suspended from their positions while police continue their investigation.

The Granary, which opened in November 2008 and is described as Shaw Healthcare's 'new purpose built centre of excellence for dementia care' employs 140 staff.