Southmead care home is improving, say council leaders

Council leaders say things are improving at a care home in Southmead given a zero-star rating.

Mimosa Healthcare's Sunnymead Manor was graded as "poor" after a visit by care homes' watchdog the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

Bristol City Council places elderly people who need nursing care there and on Monday council leader Barbara Janke and executive member for care Councillor Bev Knott visited the home and spoke to residents and staff.

They found that improvements had been made since a damning report by CSCI. Inspectors had found unpleasant odours around the home, saw residents looking neglected and unkempt and found staff morale was low.

Staff were found to be using wheelchairs in an unsafe way when moving residents, residents were treated with a lack of respect and some medication was not given in line with people's needs.

Since the inspection a new manager has been appointed and improvements have been made, particularly to the dementia floor. An activities manager has also been appointed.

Barbara Janke said: "These are vulnerable people and this home getting a zero rating was obviously something we were very concerned about.

"We are taking a personal interest in the quality of service the council gives and we met with the provider and the people being cared for."

Councillor Knott said: "We want to reassure ourselves, but more importantly the people here and their relatives and friends, that the standard of care is acceptable.

"We spoke to quite a number of residents and they seem contented enough.

"We were not here to inspect, that is not our job, but a number of improvements were visible and other issues are being addressed.

"My impression is that there is a strong will to improve things. Staff feel much more positive than they did."

Social services staff visit weekly and there will be another CSCI inspection in May.

Police are still investigating allegations of abuse at another care home, Kingsmead Lodge in Shirehampton, which is also run by Mimosa Healthcare.