Wolverhampton care home staff left residents in rooms and failed to report injuries
Care home staff in Wolverhampton failed to investigate injuries, administer medication properly and even make sure some residents ate their meals, a watchdog's inspection has found.
Residents were left in their rooms for much of the day and some did not eat or have enough to drink at the Bupa-run Anville Court Nursing Home.
The home has now been placed in special measures by the Care Quality Commission and has vowed to take action by bringing in new management.
The CQC said concerns were raised about bruising on an elderly resident's arm after a relative spotted it and saw them wearing ripped pyjamas with missing buttons.
The care file shows staff recorded bruising, red marks, and skin tears on the resident's arm on three separate occasions, but these had not been investigated or reported properly.
One person who required antibiotics to be taken on an empty stomach was given their medication during meals.
Two others did not get the correct dose of medicine from their inhalers, putting them at risk from their breathing difficulties.
During an unannounced visit in July inspectors also witnessed a care worker waking someone up in their chair as they delivered their meal, but the person fell asleep again and did not eat before it was taken away. The person's care plan stated they required help to eat and drink.
Another resident, whose fluid intake had to be monitored each day, was found to having only half what they should have been drinking and appeared dehydrated when seen by inspectors.
Staff told the inspectors they did not always have the time to support people to have the level of fluids they required. One care worker told inspectors: "The staff levels are unsafe."
They were so busy some residents were left in their rooms for much of the day and others were still waiting for breakfast at 10.30am.
Inspectors also found a number of complaints had been listed in the complaints file at the home, but had not been investigated.
A spokesman for the home, in Goldthorn Hill, Blakenhall, said: "We have taken immediate action to address the issues raised by the CQC, investing significant resources in improving the home.
"This includes introducing new strong leadership, recruiting extra permanent staff, reviewing all care plans, and strengthening our medication management systems.
"We are confident that the changes we are making, implemented by the home's new management team, will improve the care our residents receive and meet the regulator's requirements.
"We have shared our action plan with our partners at the local council and NHS, and we appreciate their support in helping us to embed the improvements."
The CQC said it was still considering enforcement action.
Inspectors will return to Anville Court within six months.
