Under pressure staff left in tears at failing Croxteth care home

Stonedale Lodge continues to be in special measures after a follow-up assessment

A Croxteth care home languishing in special measures had been facing potential tribunal proceedings its operator has revealed. Stonedale Lodge is still considered to be providing inadequate care, according to social care watchdogs.

A fresh inspection was carried out in February by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after the home was plunged back under the spotlight before Christmas last year. At the time, 50 people were living in the home across two units.

In a statement responding to the latest inspection, Advinia Care Homes Limited said it had been facing a tribunal regarding the ongoing performance at Stonedale Lodge. The findings from the CQC said while the provider had made some progress since the last inspection, “the positive developments were not yet embedded or sufficient to ensure the consistent delivery of safe, person‑centred or well‑led care.”

The service remains in special measures which involves close monitoring to ensure people are safe while Stonedale Lodge makes improvements. Special measures also provide a structured timeframe so services understand when they need to make improvements, and what action CQC will take if this doesn’t happen.

CQC is taking enforcement action to address the concerns which Advinia Care Homes Limited has the right to appeal. According to the CQC, enforcement action is already in place, and therefore no further action will be taken at this time.

Inspectors found one person’s nutrition assessment stated they had “no difficulties” with eating, chewing or swallowing and were on a regular diet. However, their current care plan recorded they required a modified diet due to a risk of choking.

Another person’s care plan had not been updated to reflect a deterioration in their mobility. Issues remained around staffing at the site and according to a report issued by the CQC, one member of staff said: “We don’t get a break.

“Sometimes I have gone off crying due to stress and pressure.” Staff described feeling under pressure and frustrated at not being able to meet people’s needs in a timely way due to insufficient staffing levels.

Comments included, “Some residents are given their breakfast in bed because we haven’t got time to assist them all with personal care and to the dining room for breakfast.” Another said: “We are late getting residents up in the morning, sometimes after 12pm.”

In a statement, an Advinia spokesperson said: “At Stonedale Lodge, the safety and wellbeing of our residents is our highest priority. While we are disappointed that the home remains rated ‘Inadequate’, we are pleased that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has seen sufficient progress to halt tribunal proceedings.

“We are glad to see that the CQC acknowledges that the team at Stonedale Lodge is fully cooperating with them and providing monthly reports to ensure transparency and oversight. We are committed to implementing a detailed improvement plan to address the CQC’s concerns and our team is working tirelessly to do so.

“In a social care climate where Local Authorities regularly commission placements without sufficient funding to deliver the complex care required, providers like us are under intense strain.

“When funding fails to meet the true cost of delivery, the problems become systemic and are impacting many providers.

“Amid this precarious landscape, the team at Stonedale Lodge continues to provide compassionate, person-centred care for residents. We will do everything we can to support them in making the changes required by the CQC as we navigate an increasingly challenging time for our sector.”