Records left in unlocked Care Home.

The BBC has reported that confidential files were left in an unlocked care home after it was closed down by authorities.  The resident’s medical records were seen by BBC Inside Out at a care home in Plymouth.

The care home – South View Care Home – was closed by Plymouth City Council in June after a CQC report said it had failed 9 out of 11 essential standards. South View was one of two care homes owned by Nick and Anna Chapman.  The homes were closed by the City Council.

Concerns had been raised in relation to the standard of care provided in the home.  A former worker told a reporter that residents had not been able to take a bath because it “did not work”.

Two workers at the South View, who raised concerns about care at the home with the Council, staged a sitting protest at the other closed home, Park View, over unpaid wages.  An employment tribunal had awarded Rosemary Parker and Launa Llewellyn-Jones £40,000.00 between them for unfair dismissal but they have still not been paid.

The care home has now been secured by Police.  The care home’s owners have not responded to requests for a comment.

Speaking of the programme, Richard Wood from the CNCI team said “It is difficult to know exactly what happened inside this care home.  Obviously, this will be a cause of much anxiety and distress to family members of those who were cared for in this establishment.  It is undoubtedly the case that the vast majority of care homes provide a good standard of care and is a safe, dignified environment.  However, one incident of this sort is too many.  Our elderly and vulnerable citizens should not have to face inadequacies in care or the stress and trauma of a move to a new home”.