BBC Panorama exposes abuse and neglect at two care homes

An investigation by BBC Panorama has uncovered abuse and neglect at two care homes, which led to two convictions for common assault, one care worker being sacked and seven other staff being suspended.

The residents at the Old Deanery in Essex and Oban House in Croydon, South London were slapped, mocked and left to cry out for help, according to the investigation.

Eight care workers have been suspended at the Old Deanery care home in Braintree, Essex, run by Anglia Retirement Homes Ltd, after secret filming showed abuse and neglect with some residents lying in their own excrement for hours.

A spokesman for Anglia Retirement Homes Ltd, said the incidents involved a “small number of staff”. He added: “We hired an independent law firm to carry out a full investigation as a matter of urgency. Eight staff were immediately suspended, and have not returned to work, pending a full inquiry.

“Our priority remains the health and wellbeing of our residents and we have more than 200 dedicated members of staff who remain committed to the highest standards of care.

“The care worker responsible for slapping a resident has been summarily dismissed.”

At Oban House run by HC-One, secret cameras filmed a 98-year-old being treated roughly by care workers and left for two hours, despite repeatedly calling for help to go to the toilet.

HC-One wants to install CCTV in all its care homes

Chai Patel, chairman of HC-One, has said the care provider is now looking at installing CCTV in all its care homes to prevent it happening again. It is currently carrying out a consultation with residents, relatives and staff to find out their views.

He said: “The secret filming that took place in 2012 showed shocking and distressing failings. We do not tolerate this kind of behaviour and we remain deeply sorry to the resident and their family.”

Two staff at Oban House have since been convicted of common assault.

BBC Panorama revealed that in the past three years, 1,260 care and nursing homes have been given warning notices by regulators the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for failing to meet legal standards to protect the vulnerable.

CQC calls abuse "unacceptable"

Andrea Sutcliffe, the Care Quality Commission’s Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care called the abuse “unacceptable” and said it had made her “angry that the good care we know is provided is undermined when people are failed in this way”.

She added: “This programme raises important issues about the quality of care in care homes. The people who run care homes and who work in them are responsible for the care they provide each and every day. It is their responsibility to make sure the care they provide is safe, effective, caring and responsive to people’s needs.”

Ms Sutcliffe insisted that “we can and we do take action against homes that fail to improve or where we find serious concerns – since 2011, 158 homes have closed following action taken by CQC. But we have to remember these are people’s homes and closing a home should be a last resort. We want to see homes improve. Later this year we will be introducing ratings for care homes. The ratings will help to drive improvement and allow people to see clearly what we think.

“We have been concerned about The Old Deanery and its sister care home, St Mary’s Court, for some time. We have responded to concerns raised by staff. We have checked up on both homes regularly. We have told the provider to make improvements.

"We cannot always know what goes on behind closed doors" says CQC

“We cannot always know what goes on behind closed doors but I am determined that our new approach will strengthen our ability to uncover poor care and take action when we need to.”

Debbie Sorkin, chief executive of the National Skills Academy for Social Care, said: “As an organisation representing organisations and individuals that deliver support to older people living in residential and nursing homes, we are horrified at the revelations in this programme. Ultimately, it is poor leadership that leads to poor practice and a culture of abuse behind closed doors in care homes.”

She added: “Whilst we recognise the gravity of these revelations, we do not wish to condemn the whole of the care sector. It is crucial that social care leaders, including commissioners, providers, and regulators, work with each other positively to ensure high quality services.”

Behind Closed Doors: Elderly Care Exposed is on BBC One tonight at 9pm.