Working at Victoria House Residential Home

Medicines not stored or handled safely, like thickener powder left unlocked where people could reach it and painkiller rules not matching doctor's orders.

We found several containers of 'thickener' left in a communal area, not locked away. Accidental ingestion of thickener could cause harm... pain relief protocols instructed staff to administer the medicine on a regular basis, rather than as required as prescribed.

Management checks missed big issues like equipment unchecked for years and not sending all required reports to regulators.

Maintenance audits showed that equipment safety checks were out of date... one bed had not been safety checked since 2019... monitoring system for accidents and incidents had not ensured all CQC notifications and safeguarding referrals had been made.

Only basic occasional activities like bingo and quizzes with no regular programme, so days are mostly routine personal care.

Per 2019 comprehensive inspection: Activity file showed some activities including arts and crafts, bingo and singalongs. Other than visitors to the service, we noted people were often sat around with not much to do.