ELDERLY people at a care home were not protected from the risk of abuse, a report has found.

The CQC has published its findings from an unannounced inspection of Sidney Gale House, in Flood Lane Bridport – and it has rated the home ‘inadequate’.

It comes after the home’s last inspection in January saw it rated as ‘requires improvement’.

Tricuro, which runs the home, has said it is ‘extremely disappointed’ in the report and said a new manager is now in place to drive forward improvements.

The report states that the inspection was carried out in August in response to ‘serious safeguarding allegations’ received by the local authority safeguarding team.

Inspectors found that two allegations of abuse were not reported to the local authority, police or the CQC, and that the allegations ‘were not appropriately managed, accurately recorded or investigated’.

The report reads: “The actions taken and responses by the management team potentially placed some people at further risk of harm and compromised investigations by the local authority safeguarding team and police.”

The inspection also found the home to be in breach of health and social care regulations, because there were shortfalls in establishing the full employment history of four new staff. And profiles of eight agency staff did not include a photograph, and there was no record of how staff at the home were verifying their identity. 

These concerns were addressed by staff at the home immediately.

Alison Waller, managing director of Tricuro, said: “The recent inspection report from CQC is extremely disappointing and it is really important that we learn from their findings. 

“The failures in the home primarily focus around the application of processes, recording and communication. 

“CQC found overall that people did receive the care and support they required and recognised that the staff were kind, caring and compassionate. 

“People are treated with dignity and respect; the care and support that our staff provide is not in question.

“CQC have acknowledged Tricuro’s immediate response to remedying the shortfalls identified and we will continue to review or processes.

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of a new registered manager who will focus on the areas of improvement and ensure that our systems and processes are fully compliant with the inspection standards required.”

Debbie Ward, Dorset County Council’s chief executive and corporate director for adults and communities added: “Following the recent CQC rating of inadequate at Sidney Gale House in Bridport, the county council is working with Tricuro, lead statutory agencies and the CQC, to support the home to make necessary changes and to help them learn from the findings of the report.”