Manager gone from Leagrave care home rated 'Inadequate' in all areas by Care Quality Commission

Osborne House, on Compton Avenue, provides care for 15 residents aged over 65.

It was rated 'Inadequate' in all areas by the Care Quality Commission following its inspection on March 12 this year.

Inspectors found the home to be cold, with temperatures fluctuating between 14 and 18 degrees and no heating in residents' bedrooms, leaving vulnerable residents susceptible to hypothermia.

The report, published last week, stated: "Numerous people were complaining telling us, 'It is really cold' and 'It is freezing'. One person who offered their hands for us to touch was very cold."

Elsewhere, a communal toilet had not been flushed after use, and only the visitors' toilet had a full supply of toilet roll, soap and disposable hand towels.

Although inspectors found no evidence of mistreatment, the home was found to be badly managed in virtually all areas.

The report stated: "The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the registered manager, governance, safe manual handling, food and nutrition, records, staff training and support, insufficient pressure care management, non-reporting of falls and pressure ulcers, poorly detailed care plans and risk management and a failure to seek medical treatment for people in a timely manner.

"We have identified breaches in relation to ensuring people are supported safely, poor record keeping and care planning, failure to meet people's individual preferences and interests, lack of registered manager and provider oversight and quality assurance systems, safe administration of medicines, provision of safe environment and sufficient staffing levels along with staff training and competency.

"We are mindful of the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on our regulatory function."

The CQC ordered the home to make improvements and issued a notice of proposal against the registered manager to remove their registration.

A spokesman from Osborne House told Luton News: "The registered manager who was referred to in the CQC Inspection Report resigned and since then, we have turned the home around, working closely with Luton Borough Council and the Care Quality Commission to improve the care home significantly under new a new management team.

"We look forward to our next inspection to evidence the improvements."