Regulator the Care Quality Commission has released another 12 inspection reports into residential homes and hospitals for people with learning disabilities and found that only 4 were fully compliant with the standards they were investigating.
The 12 inspections included facilities that provide assessment and treatment, rehabilitation and longer-term care. Inspections focused on 2 outcomes relating to the government’s essential standards of quality and safety: the care and welfare of people who use services, and safeguarding people who use services from abuse. Of the 12 facilities inspected only four were compliant with both outcomes – and one of those was warned to make improvements to make sure it continues to comply. Meanwhile, 2 facilities had moderate concerns with both outcomes. However, no major concerns were found at any of the facilities.
Specifically, in relation to the care and welfare of people who use services, 4 facilities were compliant, 5 had minor concerns and 3 had moderate concerns. The type of issues highlighted by the CQC’s inspection teams included a lack of evidence that people had been involved in the planning of their care, care plans not being produced in accessible formats and only a limited range of activities for people using services.
In relation to safeguarding, 7 facilities were compliant, 1 had minor concerns and 4 had moderate concerns. Failings included a lack of understanding of policies and alleged incidents of abuse not always being responded to appropriately or promptly. Nine of the facilities were NHS-run and 3 were from the independent sector.
These inspections were part of the CQC’s programme of 150 unannounced inspections of hospitals and care homes for people with learning disabilities. A national report will be based on the findings from all the inspections and will make conclusions about the overall state of this type of service. It will be published in the Spring.
