CARE home staff have been accused of threatening and growling at patients and leaving them to hurt themselves at an inadequate care home.

Inspectors reported care was so bad at Stafford Court, Venables Close, Canvey, they had to step in themselves to help those staying there who were at “serious risk”.

Since the inspection Umika Trading Ltd has taken over the site from Supreme Home (Essex) Ltd to try and turn it around.

The report states residents are hurting themselves because safety precautions such as walking frames are not being used and staff are ignoring the problems.

The report states: “Fall audits for the period May to September confirmed one person experienced a total of 15 falls some resulting in injury, such as skin tears or bruising.

“The care plan for this person stated to keep the person safe staff should always ensure they used their walking frame when mobilising.

"On four out of six occasions, staff were not present and we had to intervene and ask staff to assist.

"On two occasions, staff were observed to walk past the person without intervening and providing them with their walking frame.

"The lack of consideration, monitoring and action by staff placed people at significant risk of harm and injury should they have attempted to climb or roll out of bed and where they were at risk of falls.”

Inspectors also witnessed a staff member acting inappropriately towards one patient and claims made against them were not investigated.

The reports states: “The staff member was observed to go up to the person, clench their fist and to place this very close to the person’s face whilst making a ‘growling’ noise.

“Although this was duly completed and the acting manager stated the perpetrator would be removed from administering medication, no further actions were taken or considered.

"A review of this staff member’s recruitment file was undertaken. This demonstrated a previous allegation of physical abuse was made in July.

Former manager Sheryl Howard said: “I have been working with the authorities including Essex County Council and the CQC and haven’t been able to satisfy these authorities.

"We have had extra training and set up action plans but it didn’t seem to work. We put a lot into it. As a result I took the view it was time for someone else to take the reins.”