A care home in Westgate-on-Sea has officially been closed due to serious concerns about the welfare of elderly residents.

An unannounced inspection of Springfield Residential Home in Hengist Road by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) between June 23 and 26 this year revealed serious risks.

Breaches of regulations were found by inspectors in September 2014 and March this year before the unannounced inspection was made.

The report stated: "Serious risks to people were not recognised, assessed and managed. People were at risk of choking and falling and of being neglected.

"These risks to people were not being managed leaving people at further risk. People did not get the care and support that they needed.

"Staff did not always follow the instructions of doctors and nurses to support people’s health needs."

The inspection also found that the 10 remaining residents in the home were at increased risk of choking, falling, developing pressure sores, malnutrition and dehydration.

People were not receiving the care and support they needed as there were not enough staff on duty and the recruitment checks for staff working at the home were not thorough.

The provider had not met recommendations and requirements made by the Kent Fire and Rescue Service which meant people were not protected from harm if there was a fire or other emergency.

Inspectors rated the home inadequate in all five categories and were concerned that the home did not provide consistent care.

On July 1, CQC was successful in its application to cancel the registration of Macari Homes Limited with immediate effect.

This meant that they can no longer legally provide accommodation and personal care from their premises at Springfield Residential Home.

All residents have now been moved to alternative accommodation suitable for their needs.

CQC interim deputy chief inspector of adult social care Deborah Ivanova said: “CQC took action to protect the safety and wellbeing of people by moving to cancel Springfield’s Residential Home registration, meaning it could no longer operate.

"The serious failings we witnessed were completely unacceptable" - Deborah Ivanova

"The serious failings we witnessed were completely unacceptable.

“Taking action leading to the closure of any service is not something that we take lightly, but when we find very poor practice, as we did in this case, we have no alternative but to take action to protect the safety and welfare of people.

“I hope that this sends a strong public message that we are on the side of people who use services and will not hesitate to take tough action if a provider fails to meet the standards for care that everyone has the right to expect.”

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