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Review into 'harrowing' Orchid View care home scandal Review into 'harrowing' Orchid View care home scandal
(35 minutes later)
More than 30 recommendations have been made after a scandal-hit care home in West Sussex saw 19 unexplained deaths.More than 30 recommendations have been made after a scandal-hit care home in West Sussex saw 19 unexplained deaths.
A serious case review found action to rectify problems was avoided at Orchid View. It also said "ineffectual action plans" were not acted on.A serious case review found action to rectify problems was avoided at Orchid View. It also said "ineffectual action plans" were not acted on.
Five of the deaths at the now-closed home, which was run by Southern Cross in Copthorne, involved neglect.Five of the deaths at the now-closed home, which was run by Southern Cross in Copthorne, involved neglect.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has admitted a series of failings in how it handled incidents there.The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has admitted a series of failings in how it handled incidents there.
An inquest last year found that all 19 people whose deaths were unexplained had received "suboptimal" care.An inquest last year found that all 19 people whose deaths were unexplained had received "suboptimal" care.
'Catastrophic' care standards'Catastrophic' care standards
Residents were left soiled and unattended, and one night shift saw staff make 28 drug errors.Residents were left soiled and unattended, and one night shift saw staff make 28 drug errors.
The five whose deaths involved neglect were Wilfred Gardner, 85, Margaret Tucker, 77, Enid Trodden, 86, John Holmes, 85, and Jean Halfpenny, 77.The five whose deaths involved neglect were Wilfred Gardner, 85, Margaret Tucker, 77, Enid Trodden, 86, John Holmes, 85, and Jean Halfpenny, 77.
Earlier, lawyers representing the families of those who died called for a complete overhaul of the care industry, and also a public inquiry to find out how standards dropped to "such a catastrophic level". Earlier, lawyers representing the families of those who died called for a complete overhaul of the care industry, and also a public and independent inquiry to find out how standards dropped to "such a catastrophic level".
Solicitor Laura Barlow also warned recommendations had to be delivered to prevent further widespread abuse.
She said questions remained over who would drive the improvements and who was ultimately accountable and added: "What is clear is that the independent sector needs to be subject to the same level of scrutiny that the NHS expects."
But after the serious case review findings were published on Monday, independent chairman and report author Nick Georgiou said: "It is not possible to say that this report or any other will prevent all future safeguarding alerts.But after the serious case review findings were published on Monday, independent chairman and report author Nick Georgiou said: "It is not possible to say that this report or any other will prevent all future safeguarding alerts.
"It will not do that, but acting on the recommendations will lessen the risk to other residents in other settings.""It will not do that, but acting on the recommendations will lessen the risk to other residents in other settings."
Following publication of the serious case review findings, the CQC also published its own report. Following publication of the serious case review findings, the CQC issued its own report.
Andrea Sutcliffe, chief inspector of adult social care, said the primary responsibility for failings at Orchid View rested with care home staff and Southern Cross, but the CQC had looked at its own role and knew it did not fulfil its purpose of making sure the home provided safe, compassionate and high quality services.Andrea Sutcliffe, chief inspector of adult social care, said the primary responsibility for failings at Orchid View rested with care home staff and Southern Cross, but the CQC had looked at its own role and knew it did not fulfil its purpose of making sure the home provided safe, compassionate and high quality services.
"The way we worked when these serious incidents happened meant we did not respond to early warning signs, we were too easily reassured by the responses of Southern Cross and the people who worked there - and we did not take appropriate enforcement action quickly or strongly enough," she said."The way we worked when these serious incidents happened meant we did not respond to early warning signs, we were too easily reassured by the responses of Southern Cross and the people who worked there - and we did not take appropriate enforcement action quickly or strongly enough," she said.
Ms Sutcliffe said work had been carried out to make the CQC more responsive to risks, to improve inspections, and appoint and train more inspectors. She said further improvements would be made.Ms Sutcliffe said work had been carried out to make the CQC more responsive to risks, to improve inspections, and appoint and train more inspectors. She said further improvements would be made.
'Harrowing case''Harrowing case'
The serious case review was commissioned by the West Sussex Adult Safeguarding Board. The serious case review was commissioned by the West Sussex Adults Safeguarding Board.
Its 34 recommendations included that care operators must prove to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) they can recruit and keep trained and skilled staff. Its 34 recommendations included that care operators must prove they can recruit and keep trained and skilled staff; relatives should always have a named point of contact; concerns should be escalated outside homes if not dealt with properly; open meetings should be held with relatives; and there should be a threshold for informing the public about significant safeguarding issues.
The report also called for relatives always to be given a named point of contact in care homes and for concerns to be escalated outside the home if not dealt with promptly and properly.
Other recommendations included that care homes should hold open meetings with relatives and the local council.
And the report said there should be a threshold for informing the public about significant safeguarding issues to help people make informed choices about the homes they choose for their loved ones.
West Sussex councillor Peter Catchpole said: "What happened at Orchid View was harrowing.West Sussex councillor Peter Catchpole said: "What happened at Orchid View was harrowing.
"Nothing will help ease the pain of the families who were affected by these terrible events and who lost loved ones.""Nothing will help ease the pain of the families who were affected by these terrible events and who lost loved ones."
But he added: "We do believe that acting on the recommendations contained in this report will go a long way towards preventing this happening again."But he added: "We do believe that acting on the recommendations contained in this report will go a long way towards preventing this happening again."
The care home has since reopened under a new name and new management.The care home has since reopened under a new name and new management.