Residents forced to move after mice infestation shuts care home

A nursing home has been shut down by health inspectors after it was found to be infested with mice.

Some 42 residents with conditions including dementia, manic depression and schizophrenia are currently being re-housed, following the discovery of mice living at Bentley Care Home in Liverpool.

Environmental health officers discovered a dead mouse in a store cupboard and mice faeces in the care home’s kitchen and dining room, after conducting an unannounced inspection on 4 May.

Deep clean

The health inspectors told the care home owner to deep clean the premises, arrange pest control and find an external caterer to prepare meals off-site. However, when inspectors returned to re-inspect the home on 9 May, they found evidence of mice and some food being prepared on-site in breach of recommendations.

The care home was shut on Tuesday 9 May and inspectors issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice. The notice from Liverpool City Council stated: 'There is an imminent risk of injury to health due to evidence of mouse activity in all food areas within this premises.'

A spokeswoman for Liverpool City Council said: “It is quite tricky because there are residents with mental health needs, so placing them in suitable accommodation takes time. We are working with families to find residents suitable accommodation.”

Bentley Care Home is owned by Prasur Investments Limited which is run by Dr Srinivas Dharmana. Registered as a new service by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 26 September 2016, the care regulator is due to publish an inspection report shortly.

A spokeswoman for the CQC, said: “CQC’s register of providers has been amended to urgently remove Bentley Care Home. This action was taken following an urgent decision to keep people using their services safe.

“CQC are working closely with local authorities that have residents in this home, and Environmental Health Officers to ensure the safety of people using this service.

“This home had not yet been formally rated after Prasur Investments Limited registered Bentley Care Home with the Care Quality Commission from another provider in September 2016. A report from the latest inspection will be issued in due course.”

Care home owner: 'Closure unnecessary'

The care home's owner Dr Srinivas Dharmana told Liverpool Echo: “We are very sorry the home has been served with a closure notice, and that we have to relocate a high number of vulnerable service users, to the devastation of them and their families - whose support we value greatly.

“There was never a clear and present danger to residents’ safety. The closure was unnecessary. All that was needed was time, support and clear guidance.”