Quarter of care homes failing standards

Across the region, 205 care homes were issued with improvement notices in one or more area, according to figures from a national watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) statistics reveal that the remaining 569 care homes in the West Midlands met all standards. In Staffordshire, 54 care homes failed, but 247 got top marks.

In Wolverhampton, Fallings Park Lodge in Old Fallings Lane is listed as needing improvements in treating residents with respect and involving them in their care. Concerns were also raised about caring for residents safely, protecting them from harm and in its management. It also faces enforcement action over the way it is providing care and over its staffing.

Select House in Oldbury, and Abbeyfield Meadows in Great Haywood, were both judged to need improvement in care, staffing and management.

And at Holbeche House Care, in Wall Heath; Millennium Forge in Tipton; and Ernest Bold Resource Centre in Bilston, inspectors said improvements were needed to the management at all three homes.

Sister Dora Nursing Home in Stafford has been instructed to improve its care, treatment and support to residents to meet their needs. Issues with staffing and management were also flagged up.

According to the CQC, Bearwood Nursing Home in Smethwick, needs improvement across its care, protecting residents from harm and its management.

Himley Manor Care Home in Dudley has also been told to improve its care, staffing, and management.

The commission published the report looking at the state of care across the country. Its key findings show that leadership and a positive culture are the key to providing safe care.

Chief executive David Behan said: "While we will celebrate good and outstanding care where we find it, we are calling time on unacceptable inadequate care.

"When our inspections identify poor care, they should lead to improvement by providers, who should learn from the good and outstanding care we champion through our new ratings.

"From our inspections, the safety of services is our biggest concern. Care providers must make the basics of safe care a priority and build a culture of safety in their organisations. The principle of keeping people safe from harm is fundamental.

"The public should be at the heart of good care, providers should accept where there are problems and use our inspections to drive up quality, the wider health and care system needs to work together and help to put things right when services need to improve.

"We will use our new approach to shine a light on poor care, highlight good and outstanding practice and encourage a learning culture."