Care home in shock closure (From The Bolton News)

Care home in shock closure

9:06am Thursday 10th January 2013 in Local

A NURSING home has been temporarily closed after serious concerns about health and safety.

The elderly and vulnerable residents at Ladymead Nursing Home in Westwood Road, Heaton, have been moved to other accommodation until the home makes improvements to meet health and safety standards.

Authorities say it is in relation to a “serious electrical problem” at the home.

The Bolton News understands as well as electrical issues there is: l leaking water l some bedrooms without smoke alarms l insufficient amount of fire extinguishers l inadequate fire evacuation procedures It is not known how long it will take for the problems to be dealt with.

A relative of a resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I am very concerned about what has happened.

“Residents are having to be cared for at other homes and a lot of them have dementia.

“I have not really been told the details but what I do know is that the inspectors were not at all happy.”

On its website, Ladymead is described as a “small family-run residential and nursing home”, which aims to “not only to maintain the respect and dignity of our residents and provide a warm, caring environment, but also to maintain as much independence as possible and enhance quality of life”.

But following a visit by care watchdog the Care Quality Commission last Friday, which identified “concerns regarding the health and safety measures currently in place”, all residents have been moved.

And the CQC warned further action would be taken if its concerns were not dealt with.

A spokesman for the CQC said: "CQC visited the home in response to issues raised by the local authority and found that national standards were not being met.

“Following our visit, the local authority and Primary Care Trust made a decision to move current residents to alternative accommodation, on a temporary basis, until the building is made safe.

"We are working closely with all partner agencies to ensure residents are transferred safely to appropriate temporary placements and we continue to monitor the provider in line with our regulatory responsibilities.

“The provider must address the issues of concern identified and CQC will not hesitate to take further enforcement action should this be required."

There were 21 residents in Ladymead and all have moved to new homes, except three who are in hospital.

Bolton Council fund nine of the residents, NHS Bolton fund six, there are five self-funders and one funded by Salford.

They have been moved to several Bolton homes, including Farnworth, Park View, Mill View and Laburnum Lodge, Blackrod House, St Catherine’s, Grange Lea and Meadowbank.

In a joint statement by Bolton council and NHS Bolton, a spokesman said: “A serious electrical problem has been identified at Ladymead Care Home and as commissioners of 21 beds at the home, the duty of care rests with the council and NHS Bolton.

“As a result, we made the decision to undertake a temporary move of all residents as a precautionary measure until this problem is resolved.

“The council, Care Quality Commission (CQC) and NHS Bolton are working with the provider to ensure a speedy resolution to this problem and to reduce any unnecessary disruption to clients and families.

“We are in the process of facilitating smooth transfers for residents with immediate effect and we will keep families updated regarding how each resident’s move progresses.”

The care home refused to comment.