Care home resident 'covered in blood' at breakfast

A care home resident was found with blood on their hands and face while sitting with seven other people who were eating breakfast, according to an inspection report.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) came across the scene while inspecting Melton House care home in Wymondham, Norfolk.

One resident who displayed "sexualised behaviours" towards others was put in a room next to two vulnerable people who were unable to move without staff help, the report found. Another vulnerable person fell into building works at the site, and "excessively full" fly papers were found dangling above people's chairs.

The home said it had made improvements following the CQC's visit.

The regulator has rated the home as "inadequate" and has put it in special measures.

It found six breaches of regulations relating to dignity and respect, consent, safe care and treatment, premises and equipment, good governance, and safe staffing.

One member of staff was found to have worked 60 hours without a break, followed by a further 66 hours continuously just days later.

The home's manager told the CQC that it had been an oversight, but inspectors were informed by staff that working such hours was "common practice".

The regulator carried out the inspection after being alerted to concerns following an incident at the home.

Hazel Roberts, CQC deputy director of adult social care in the East of England, said: "Staff treated people in ways that were unkind and undignified. We observed staff delivering care which was both distressing and upsetting to witness, but staff acted as if it was normal."

She added that the person covered in blood had fallen over and had been left sitting in the dining room while waiting for an ambulance.

Roberts also described a bad smell in the communal lounge. After the manager was asked to consider another solution for dealing with the dead insects, extra fly papers were hung above the dining tables "so people ate their meals with further dead flies hanging overhead".

Staffing levels were too low, and working for long periods without a rest break was the "usual practice".

Melton House is part of The Crossroad Group, which describes itself as "an operational vehicle focused on mergers and acquisitions in the social care sector".

A spokesman for the home said it was "working closely with the CQC and associated professional bodies to address all highlighted areas and further strengthen service delivery".

They continued: "Since the review, our teams have prioritised clear, actionable improvements across our operations. Excellent progress has already been made, and we remain fully committed to upholding the highest standards of safety, quality and care for everyone we support."

The statement added: "Residents' safety and high-quality care are at the heart of everything we do."

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