A CARE home being closed at short notice is at the centre of an investigation concerning the safeguarding of residents.
The Examiner reported last week that residents of the Green View House nursing home in Gledholt were told four days before Christmas that it would close in January.
But it has since emerged that an investigation is under way by Kirklees Social Services, after allegations involving safeguarding were made at the nursing home.
It is not yet known what the details of the allegations are but safeguarding can refer to ensuring vulnerable people are protected from harm.
A spokeswoman for Kirklees Council said: “There is a safeguarding investigation taking place and it will conclude irrespective of the home closure.”
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said: “Following the inspection there were some safeguarding allegations made against staff and Social Services are still investigating.
“The staff who were allegedly involved were suspended but subsequently reinstated. On the day of the visit we did not see any evidence of any safeguarding concerns.”
It adds that, in their judgement of the home: “People felt safe and respected by the staff team. People are protected from abuse or the risk of abuse by a trained and attentive staff team.”
At the time of the last CQC’s inspection, the nursing home’s owner was told to make some improvements surrounding environmental health issues.
Their report said that “people should be cared for in a clean environment and protected from the risk of infection” with the home told to make improvements.
There was said to be a strong smell of urine in the home and the NHS Kirklees Primary Care Trust infection control team had inspected the home the week before the Care Quality Commission, for a routine visit, and had made a number of recommendations.
The Greenhead Road home has a large number of residents with dementia. The decision to close it affects about 26 people.
The Examiner phoned the private care home yesterday but was told no-one was available to comment. Kirklees Council has previously said it would offer help to all residents to find appropriate care.
