A BARNSLEY care home which was plunged into special measures by the CQC has stopped new admissions and vowed to improve.

Blossom Lodge, on Cherrys Road in Cundy Cross, was the subject of the inspection by the care watchdog.

Following the inspection, it was placed into special measures and served warning notices for ‘failing to mitigate risks posed to people from the environment and failing to have good governance systems in place, to monitor the quality and safety of the service’.

A report, seen by the Chronicle, states that people were not safe and were at risk of avoidable harm.

Levels of staffing were not sufficient with cleaners often having to help out with care, and the home was ‘visibly dirty’.

The report said: “The provider did not make sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

“They did not always make sure staff received effective support, supervision and development.

“They did not work together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.

“We found visibly dirty toilets, stained furnishings, stained flooring, exposed wood, limescale on sinks, shared unlabelled razors and toiletries and empty hand hygiene dispensers.

“Domestic staffing levels were not sufficient, and cleaning staff were sometimes redeployed to provide care.

“We found exposed wires, broken emergency pull cords, damaged walls, and missing shower plugs.

“We also found unsafe outdoor areas with overgrown grounds and uneven surfaces, and trailing wires in bedrooms, placing people at risk of trips and falls.

“Several radiators did not have covers, placing people at risk of burns.

“Following our assessment the provider covered all radiators within the service.

“We did find some equipment was maintained, such as lifting and electrical equipment, and people had equipment in place to manage some falls risks, such as bed rails and sensor mats.”

The report added that the service was not ‘well-led’ and has subsequently fallen into the lowest-graded category possible.

It said: “The provider did not have inclusive leaders at all levels who understood the context in which they delivered care, treatment and support, or who embodied the culture and values of their workforce and organisation.

“Leaders did not have the skills, knowledge, experience and credibility to lead effectively.

“We received mixed feedback from staff regarding the leadership, some staff told us the management team were not present around the service.

“Due to concerns we found relating to people’s safety, the environment and overall governance we could not be assured leaders were effective.”

A spokesperson for the home said: “Following a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission, we accept that Blossom Care Home fell below the standards residents, relatives and the wider community should be able to expect.

“We are sorry that this happened.

“Residents’ safety, wellbeing, dignity and quality of life must always be at the centre of the service, and we are taking the CQC’s findings extremely seriously.

“We have already put a detailed improvement plan in place and are working closely with the CQC, Barnsley Council and relevant health and care professionals to make the required improvements.

“Immediate action has been taken.

“Senior provider representatives are now attending the home more frequently, staffing levels have been increased, management support has been strengthened, and key areas including care planning, medicines management, staff training, infection prevention and control, equipment, environmental checks, and governance are being reviewed and improved.

“Following discussions with Barnsley Council, we have voluntarily paused new admissions to the home.

“This allows the management team and staff to focus fully on current residents and on embedding the improvements required.

“New admissions will only resume when it is appropriate to do so.

“We have written to residents’ relatives and representatives to update them, and we will continue to keep families informed as the improvement work progresses.

“We understand that reassurance must come through action, not words alone.

“Our priority now is to put things right, strengthen oversight, and ensure improvements are sustained.”