'Inadequate' care home where resident ESCAPED and people with Covid could 'move about freely'

A care home where a resident escaped, staff were 'constantly firefighting' and people were 'free to move around' after a coronavirus outbreak has been plunged into special measures. There was no manager in place when inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) first turned up for the latest unannounced visit to Bourne House, in Ashton-under-Lyne. They found the care home to be 'inadequate' - with a host of worrying concerns about its safety, effectiveness and leadership.

In a report released this month, the CQC said those inside Bourne House were 'not being protected from the risk of infection' - including from Covid. Staff reportedly told inspectors that they had not been asked to complete lateral flow tests to check for Covid on a regular basis, while records kept at the care home 'did not reflect' who was infected with coronavirus at the time.

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The report said: "On the first day of inspection we were told two staff had a positive Covid-19 LFT result that morning. We raised this with the provider and ensured these staff members were sent home and arrangements were made for staff cover.

"We could not ascertain whether the provider had been aware of this and were not assured the provider understood the requirements of testing, current isolation guidance and associated risks." The CQC visited the Taunton Road care home on January 24 and 25, before returning on February 2.

Following the initial visit, Tameside Council's infection control team came to support Bourne House staff, but the CQC says advice given by the team - such as improving ventilation - did not appear to have been followed by the third visit a week later. Inspectors added: "People