A report by the Care Quality Commission has found significant failings in the level of care provided to residents with diabetes and dementia at Mildenhall Lodge care home.
Mildenhall Lodge care home in Suffolk, which is managed by Care UK, describes itself as a “luxury care home” but was found to be failing elderly residents in a variety of ways and only met one out of the five care standards that were reviewed.
Amongst the failings noted, were the following concerns:
Residents’ dietary needs not taken into account, which included residents with diabetes
Only one member of staff available to treat 11 residents with dementia
Residents left hungry and thirsty
Call bells not answered for up to 15 minutes
A lack of activities resulting in residents spending most of their time in their rooms
Diet is a particularly important aspect of diabetes care and management and therefore failure in this area is a strong concern. Call bells being left unanswered could also result in dangerous situations for any residents on hypo causing medications including sulphonylurea tablets.
Care UK’s Director of Quality and Governance, Caroline Roberts, responded to the report saying: Caroline Roberts, Care UK’s director of quality and governance, said: “We fully take on board the CQC’s comments and want to apologise to residents and their families for the care at Mildenhall Lodge falling below the high standard that they deserve.”
Ms Roberts added that an improvement plan has been drawn up and is being implemented by senior managers.
