A HOME for the disabled inspected twice this year is still failing in caring for residents, despite pledging to tackle all concerns initially raised by the end of March.

An April inspection by the Care Quality Commission found concerns remained about Piggy Lane, Bicester.

It said action is still needed over care and welfare of residents, monitoring service quality and patient records.

Yet it said Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust had met concerns about safeguarding residents from abuse and lack of staff.

Its January inspection warned of “insufficient processes” to keep residents safe
and the trust said all issues would be addressed by March 30.

But the April visit found residents in its two bungalows were “not completely safe from avoidable harm” as guidance was not always followed.

Protocols on tackling suspected abuse had been updated but checks on sharing patient information did not happen when managers were off, it found.

It said staff showed “warmth, compassion and respect” but checks on quality and safety were “not yet sufficiently effective.”

There had been “improvements in the leadership and overall culture” and staff said leadership was “clearer” with better communication.

Yet the report said: “On the day of our inspection key staff were absent and had been for some time.” 

It added that this hampered progress.

Trust spokeswoman Natalie Duffy said the findings “remain unacceptable”.

She said some need more time and it has “put a robust action plan in place to ensure that we are compliant in all areas of our service.”

The trust was criticised in February over the July 2013 death of Connor Sparrowhawk, 18, in a bath at carehome Slade House, Headington, Oxford.

An independent report concluded 15-minute checks were unsafe for the Headington teenager, who is believed to have drowned.

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