Portsmouth care 'not suitable' for people living with dementia, deems CQC

East Cosham House in Havant Road, Drayton, has been rated as ‘requires improvement’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), after an inspection took place in January.

The subsequent report, published last week, highlighted a series of errors with the care home and described the care home as ‘not suitable’ for people who have dementia.

During the inspection, red bags containing soiled clothes and sheets were found next to shelves of clean clothing.

Inspectors also highlighted that there wasn't a sink in the laundry room, so staff members, who were praised in the report for their high level of care, had nowhere in the room to wash their hands.

The report said: ‘The environment was not suitable for people living with dementia – there was a lack of signs to help guide people around the home and bedroom doors were all the same, some with a small name.

‘There had been little consideration in decoration for people living with dementia. The flooring was patterned, walls and doors and door frames were all white and toilets and bathrooms were white.’

The CQC examines five criteria during its inspections – safety, effectiveness, care, responsiveness and leadership.

Of the five categories, only care was rated as ‘good’ as inspectors observed ‘friendly, calm and patient’ carers.

David Fuller has been the manager of East Cosham House for 12 years.

He says the recommended improvements will be put in place, and has echoed the praise towards staff members.

Mr Fuller said: ‘The report states the curtain to separate the two clothes areas hadn’t been closed; this was an error and staff have been reminded of the importance, but regardless the clean clothes weren’t at risk.

‘The toilets have signage of male and female figures and nobody has ever been confused by that, but the inspector wants additional toilet signs and suggested that we paint the doors; we are planning to do this.

‘We’re considering further directional signage but want this to continue feeling like a home for our residents, not an institution.’

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