Wem care home in special measures after inspectors find 'exhausted' staff

Two inspectors from the Care Quality Commission made unannounced visits to Highbury House, in Aston Road, Wem, on three dates in July and found permanent staff exhausted and issues with management oversight.

The home looks after up to 11 adults with learning disabilities and autism at three connected properties.

In a report published this week the inspectors found that the home was iadequate and owners, Bath-based Achieve Together Limited,have been given a six-onth deadline to improve

The report notes that one staff member told the inspectors: "I do love my job, but I am exhausted. I never know who I am working with and whether people will be able to get out."

Another staff member said: "We are a good team but it's hard when you work with too many agency staff.

"We used to be sent regular agency staff so it was easier, but we are back to square one since the agency changed.

"Some are excellent but they don't all have the same skills.

"Sometimes we don't have enough medicine-trained or behaviour-trained staff so that puts pressure on the rest of us to cover everything."

The inspectors also highlighted issues with management oversight of the service.

The report says a staff member told them: "We really try our best, but we don't always get listened to when we suggest how we can make things easier for everyone."

Another said: "We are all committed which is why we are still here, and we know it will improve but management need to work with us and listen to what we know works and doesn't work.

"Sometimes they expect us to do too much and when staffing is low this can affect people's behaviour which puts us at increased risk. This makes me anxious."

The inspectors noted that staff told them they did not always feel safe in the service, especially when the staffing level was below expectation, and they needed to work alongside high numbers of agency staff.

CQC inspectors said the inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about staffing levels and the management of risk in the service.

"The overall rating for this service is 'Inadequate' and the service is therefore in 'special measures'," the report said.

"This means we will keep the service under review and, if we do not propose to cancel the provider's registration, we will re-inspect within six months to check for significant improvements.

"If the provider has not made enough improvement within this timeframe and there is still a rating of inadequate for any key question or overall rating, we will take action in line with our enforcement procedures.

"This will mean we will begin the process of preventing the provider from operating this service.

"This will usually lead to cancellation of their registration or to varying the conditions the registration."

Achieve Together Limited has been asked for comment.