A DAMNING report has lifted the lid on a shocking litany of failures which put the vulnerable and elderly residents of a Hexham care home at risk.

An unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission found the overall service at Acomb Court to be ‘inadequate.’

Home operator Helen McArdle Care is appealing against the report’s findings, after an attempt to ban its publication was rejected by the High Court.

The inspection results make for worrying reading, with allegations that some residents may have been subject to psychological harm.

Acomb Court, which currently houses 68 people with residential, nursing or dementia care needs, was visited by a team of inspectors over three days last November.

Inspectors found six breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 regulations, and ‘significant and widespread shortfalls’ in the management of the service.

Although staffing levels appeared sufficient and call bells were answered reasonably swiftly, inspectors found only one nurse on duty for two of the three days and learned that staff had gone all day without a break.

Residents were left unobserved in lounge areas for long stretches and one visually impaired resident was seen to become distressed after being seated alone with little staff interaction.

One resident told the team: “They [the staff] are so rough and rushed and not very sympathetic when you are not feeling well.”

Some staff were witnessed supporting residents respectfully and inspectors observed pleasant interactions.

However residents were ‘left sitting in an undignified manner’ and spoken to inappropriately by staff, who did not always treat people with respect, compassion or care.

Staff openly discussed residents with ‘no respect for their presence’ and one resident told inspectors: “Sometimes they say ‘you are useless,’ sometimes they say ‘there is not just you, you know; there are lots of other people here’.”

A male resident was found in his room wearing dirty clothing, and with his body below the waist exposed, and staff were seen walking past a female resident whose thighs were left bare after her blanket had fallen from her lap.

A resident at high risk of pressure ulcers was not moved from a seated position for eight hours.

Inspectors were shocked after seeing two members of the care staff team, ‘sharply lifting people’s legs onto wheelchair footrests, without prior warning, which caused them discomfort.’

In three bedrooms, medication. which was being administered, was found to be out of date and inspectors saw that medicines were not always administered on time.

Dementia awareness in care giving was found to be ‘basic’ and little stimulation was offered to residents, with one describing the atmosphere as ‘glum.’

Helen McCardle, who founded the care provider in 1989, was made a CBE in this year’s New Year Honours list.

Only last February Acomb Court was given a top rating in a residents’ Your Care Rating, survey.

A spokesman for Helen McCardle Care said: “ We acknowledge that there were some areas highlighted in the report that could have been better, and these were addressed immediately.

“However we do feel very strongly that the CQC’s inspection process fell short in terms of objectivity and evidence gathering.

“This inspection took place in November 2014;the fact they have not been back to the home in six months is an indication that they got it wrong.”

However the Care Quality Commission has hit back at the suggestion that its report is flawed.

Deputy chief inspector for adult social care in the North Debbie Westhead said: “We are satisfied that the findings of the report are correct.

“We are in discussion with the provider and will inspect again to assess whether the improvements which are required to provide safe and effective care in line with the regulations have been made.”