Nursing home’s contract suspended

A nursing home’s contracts with Nottinghamshire County Council and NHS Nottinghamshire County were suspended on Friday because of concerns about the quality of care.

Mr David Hamilton, the council’s service director for personal care and support (older people) said they had been working with the Care Quality Commission and NHS Nottinghamshire to address concerns about Red Rose Nursing Home, Farndon.

He said a joint investigation into the death of one of the residents, Mrs Mary Threlfall, found the home failed to provide an adequate level of care.

He said specific actions were agreed by the home to address the concerns and regular visits had been made to monitor its progress.

Dr Amanda Sullivan, for NHS Newark and Sherwood Clinical Commissioning Group, said a joint investigation into the care of Mrs Threlfall identified specific areas of concern and an action plan was agreed with the home.

She said since that time they continued to monitor care provided and, after a visit on October 12, they suspended their contract with the home.

Mr Alan Breeton, chairman of the Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Adults Board, said they received a request from Mrs Threlfall’s daughter, Mrs Sue Clawson, to carry out a review of her mother’s death.

He said it was considered by the serious case sub group, which decided against a serious case review.

The suspension of the contracts means no new social services patients or PCT referrals will be funded to stay at Red Rose, although existing patients will remain. The suspension will be reviewed.

The council is due to meet care home representatives tomorrow.

The owner of the home, Mr Roger Daniel, said that they felt the contract suspsension was disproportionate, unreasonable and unsupported by the evidence of the quality of care the home strived to provide to its residents.

He said: "We strongly believe that the reasons given to justify the suspension of our contract are flawed and susceptible to challenge."