A SOUTHEND care home has been closed after the regulatory watchdog ruled residents were ‘at risk of harm’.
The private care home Alexander House has been closed after bosses failed to correct faults found at the home by Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors.
Residents were escorted out of the 25-resident home in Westcliff, operated by Heath and Home, on Friday evening.
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“The CQC has taken urgent action to prevent Health and Home from providing care to people at the private care home Alexander House,” a CQC spokesperson said.
“We have taken this action because we believe that if we do not, people using the service may be at risk of harm.
“Santé et Maison has the right to appeal, and we will release further information when we are able to do so.”
A neighbor who wished to remain anonymous said he was relieved to see the back of the house.
“As of Friday evening, all remaining residents were evacuated from the house,” they said.
“There was a lot of commotion outside and when I got to the window there was a line of people coming out.
“We are glad it was closed as it was unpleasant to live next to as we could often hear screaming and a lot of noise coming from inside.”
The First Avenue care home was placed in special measures earlier this year after a CQC inspection found ‘no evidence’ the home was properly testing people transferred to the service from the provider’s other care homes for Covid-19.
The home has also been criticized for its PPE policies, with the report citing “inconsistencies” in how staff wore PPE, such as face masks and aprons.
The report further revealed that staff did not recognize the types of abuse and what steps to take if abuse is suspected.
The house was given the lowest possible rating by the CQC – ‘inadequate’ – and was told to take shape as it was placed in special measures.
When houses are placed in a special measure, they are given a delay to improve or they will be closed.
Health and Home has been contacted for comment.