Care home ordered to close by CQC

A CUMBRIA nursing home which hired some staff with a criminal record has been ordered to close by the Care Quality Commission.

The CQC has issued the closure notice for Harker Grange Nursing Home in Carlisle after improvements it ordered were not brought into effect.

Alternative care plans for its 26 residents will be arranged by Cumbria County Council and NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group.

The CQC said some staff had a criminal history and poor references. In a report published in July, it also said infection control and prevention was not being managed adequately and some parts of the building were unsafe.

Harker Grange has until September 27 to appeal against the closure order.
Beth Furneaux, the council’s cabinet member for health and care services, said on the BBC: “I understand that this is a very difficult and stressful time for families who want their loved ones to be settled and cared for to the highest standards.

“The safety and wellbeing of residents is of paramount importance. Every effort has been made to support Harker Grange to achieve and sustain the delivery of high quality care.”

Helen King, director of nursing NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We have been talking to patients and their families directly and now we are doing the best we can to find alternative suitable placements.”

The care home has declined to comment.