A RESIDENTIAL home in Cradley has been placed into special measures after being rated as ‘inadequate’ during an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC visited Two Gates House, in Colley Gate, unannounced for two days in June, prompted by an incident which saw a person using the service sustain a serious injury and died.

A second notification regarding a person using the service who had suffered a medicine overdose indicated potential concerns about the home – especially the management of risk of falls from moving and handling equipment and unsafe medicines.

The organisations report on the home, which was rated ‘good’ at its previous inspection in July 2016, was published last month.

The News has contacted Two Gates House for a response to the report, which can be viewed online in full at www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-114039448.

It was found that the use of unsafe equipment had placed people at risk of harm, and that care plans and risk assessments had not always been reviewed or updated and action had not always been taken to mitigate the risk of future events.

Inspectors also found dependency levels had increased, but there were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and although staff were supported in their roles through induction and training, some training gaps were identified which the provider said they have plans to address.

Medicines were also deemed to not be managed safely, or always administered at the intervals needed, however residents did tell inspectors that they felt safe and staff knew how to report concerns about people’s safety.

People were also said to enjoy the meals provided and had positive support and encouragement. Residents described staff as kind and caring, and inspectors saw staff were attentive and interacted with people and were respectful towards them.

Despite the home being rated as ‘requires improvement’ in the effective, caring and responsive sections of the inspection, the home was placed into special measures, due to being rated ‘inadequate’ in the safe and well-led areas.

Two Gates House will now be kept under review and another inspection will be conducted by the CQC within six months.