Care provider 'failed to respect patient dignity'

A care provider for people with complex and terminal illnesses in Kent has been put in special measures after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found "serious safety risks" during an inspection.

Share the Care, based in Sittingbourne, offers for people in their own homes, some of whom are living with dementia and a physical disability.

The CQC said it found nine breaches of regulations relating to providing safe, person-centred care and treatment when it assessed the service in April.

Share the Care, which also offers training for staff at other organisations, said it was watching closely with the CQC to ensure the service meets the necessary standards.

Serena Coleman, CQC deputy director of operations in the south, said in a report released on Friday that Share the Care failed to provide care that respected a person's individuality, dignity or rights.

In one instance, a person wanted to miss a physiotherapy session and stay in bed, but instead of speaking with them directly, the carer asked a family member for permission.

Ms Coleman said this undermined the person, took away their independence and made them feel like their wishes were unimportant.

Then there were serious concerns around patient safety, with two people found to have been at risk of financial abuse and another involving a person with dementia who was at risk of harm four times in one month.

"None of these incidents had been escalated to the local safeguarding team, despite being recorded by staff," she added.

As a result of this inspection, the CQC has rated the service as inadequate overall, and for how safe and well-led it is.

Ms Coleman said staff were "doing their best" but were let down by the lack of leadership, effective policies and clear processes needed to deliver high-quality care.

How effective, caring and responsive the service is has been rated as 'requires improvement'.

The CQC will now monitor Share the Care to ensure people are safe whilst improvements are made.

"If these changes are not made swiftly and effectively, we will not hesitate to take further action," Ms Coleman added.

Ruth Nyazika, director at Share the Care, said: "We acknowledge the findings of the CQC and take them very seriously.

"We accept the decision to place our service in special measures and we are committed to making rapid and lasting improvements."

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