INSPECTORS from the Care Quality Commission have made an earlier return visit than planned to The Wingfield care home in Trowbridge, after receiving what the watchdog described as 'information of concern'.
Two weeks ago the Wiltshire Times reported Warminster woman Sue Snethlage's fears over the care her mother Eileen Davies had received at The Wingfield before her death last month.
The day after Mrs Snethlage contacted the CQC, who rated The Wingfield as 'requiring improvement' after an inspection last November, inspectors were back at the Wingfield Road care home. Last Friday the home opened its doors to the public as part of National Care Home Open Day.
It is understood inspectors spent two days probing into conditions, practices and management at both the main care home, which looks after elderly residents, and its adjacent Memory Lane block, which provides care for people suffering from dementia and similar conditions.
This week Debbie Ivanova, deputy chief inspector of Adult Social Care, said: “The inspection was prompted by information of concern that had been highlighted to us. The inspection was also brought forward to assess whether the provider had made improvements following the November 2016 inspection, if there were ongoing risks to people that use this service and whether the provider was meeting the fundamental standards to provide high quality care.
“A report detailing our findings will be published in due course.”
It normally takes around 10 weeks for the CQC to publish the findings of any inspection.
Mrs Snethlage spoke to the Wiltshire Times in a bid to warn other families to be aware of CQC findings when choosing care homes for their loved ones, saying: “I want to warn people to choose homes with great care. Check the CQC reports, make an impromptu visit, see more than one care home. Overlook this advice at your peril, or you like me could find your loved one passing away in less than satisfactory circumstances.”
Last Friday the home opened its doors to the public as part of National Care Home Open Day. A CQC spokesman told the Wiltshire Times: "The CQC would always look beyond the window dressing. Our visits are unannounced so we see the home as it really is."
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