A businessman who ran a string of care homes criticised by a government watchdog has admitted to “appalling” failures.
Brian Vincent, a director of Fartown-based Eldercare (Halifax) Ltd, blamed “management failures” and “malicious individuals” for the firm’s woes.
Mr Vincent said the company, which ran several care homes rated “inadequate” by the Care Quality Commission, was “restructuring and downsizing.”
Mr Vincent, who previously ran the business from Australia, said: “We’ve had some appalling performances from individuals who have done appalling things.”
He added that a “scandal” in the elderly care sector was unfolding making it difficult for care homes to succeed.
But Mr Vincent said current residents of Eldercare homes had “nothing to worry about.”
Ingwood Nursing Home, formerly run by Eldercare, is the latest in its former portfolio to receive an “inadequate” rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The Greetland home, now closed, was criticised for its safety, effectiveness and management.
It was rated “requires improvement” for its responsiveness but praised for its caring attitude to residents.
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The CQC report, following a visit in November, found that one resident had lost approximately two-and-a-half stone while another had lost just over two stone in four months at the home.
Ingwood was also criticised for its inadequately trained staff and risk assessments which were “misleading and out-of-date.”
Eldercare ran Ashleigh Care Home in Newsome and Parklands, Rochdale, which both received “inadequate” – the lowest – ratings.
The company continues to run Cowlersley Court, Cowlersley, and Elm Royd Nursing Home in Brighouse, both of which were rated “inadequate” in their latest CQC reports.
Several other Eldercare homes in Yorkshire – including Sun Woodhouse, Fartown – and one in Greater Manchester were rated “requires improvement” in their latest CQC reports.
Eldercare-run Alexander House Care Home, Halifax, received “good” ratings in all categories following a CQC inspection on December 22.
Mr Vincent said: “We’ve had management failures and we are in the process of restructuring the company. I know I’m responsible.”
Mr Vincent added that care homes were struggling to survive because of inadequate Government investment.
He said: “They are put under enormous financial strain. This is a national scandal that is unfolding in front of our eyes.
“The Government’s attitude to mental health is disgraceful.”
Mr Vincent added: “We are restructuring and downsizing. There’s nothing wrong with our company. We’ve had some very malicious people working for us.”
He said he had lodged a complaint with the CQC about one of its inspectors, which he said had been “largely substantiated.” The CQC declined to confirm or deny this.
Ashleigh Care Home closed following a damning report in which a CQC inspector reported saving a resident from suffocating.
Cowlersley Court, described by a resident as “frightening” in another report, was threatened with closure following a CQC visit in October.
Parklands House, now closed, was so dirty inspectors detected foul odours as they approached the building.
Elm Royd, described as “a prison” by one resident, has been placed in special measures after a damning review.
Mr Vincent said a “turnaround project” at Elm Royd was underway.
The CQC said Eldercare (Halifax) Ltd was being “closely” monitored by the commission.
A CQC spokesman said that the cancellation of a company’s registration was a sanction for the “most extreme of circumstances.”
