Police are investigating a care home after allegations that a resident was given a noxious substance. The GMP inquiry is centred on Glenhomes in Bolton, which has recently had two consecutive damning reports by a watchdog.
Detectives visited the premises in August after receiving information from a whistleblower who also alerted the Care Quality Commission. Two members of staff have been arrested.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police’s Bolton district said: “We are investigating allegations relating to a care home in Bolton, following a report of concerns made in August 2022. Two people have been arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance and neglect.
"They remain under investigation. We are continuing to work with the local authority and Care Quality Commission to investigate the allegations and ensure the safeguarding of residents."
The deputy manager at the home said: "We have nothing to say at the moment as the investigation is ongoing. We have done everything that the local authority and police asked us to do. We are awaiting the outcomes of their investigation."
Asked if they would like to comment on a critical CQC report issued last month they said: "We don't want to comment on anything at the moment."
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “We have undertaken a robust safeguarding investigation, whilst also supporting Greater Manchester Police with their enquiries. Our investigation has concluded that this was an isolated incident relating only to those under arrest. The council therefore has no concerns about the wider care and support provided by Glenhomes.”
The MEN understands the allegations relate to a female resident. One source said: "First the CQC turned up and then about six police officers. The investigation is ongoing. The home was only taken over by new owners in May."
The home is run by Sevaline Care Homes Ltd.
In April last year when the premises had different owners - Glenhomes Care Home Limited - the CQC published a report which said the home needed to improve in three out of five areas. Last month a new report concluded the home required improvement for four of five categories.
The 21-bed home in Greenmount Lane, Heaton, is a converted large detached house. The latest inspection by the CQC carried out in August and published on October 24th says the level of caring in the home is good, but the categories of whether the service is safe; effective; responsive; and well-led all require improvement.
In its report the CQC says: "The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about neglect, people being administered medication incorrectly by untrained staff and of concerns relating to support provided during night shifts. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks."
It adds: "We found no evidence people had been harmed however, the provider had failed to ensure systems were in place for the safe management of medicines. This was a breach of regulation 12(1) of the Health and SocialCare Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 .Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuse.
"Prior to our inspection we received safeguarding concerns from the local authority's safeguarding team.We identified the provider had failed in the first instance to share information. The provider acknowledged this failing and demonstrated a clear understanding of their responsibilities moving forwards."
The report adds: "The registered manager said, 'We've made one mistake, I think we should have done it differently and we will report any allegations in the future.' People and their relatives felt care was provided safely. One relative said, '(My relative) has been there a few months. I do feel like they're safe and it means a lot.' Staff had a good understanding of when they should raise a safeguarding concern and who with."
It adds: "The home while registered to provide nursing care was only providing support to people with residential support needs and didn't employ any nursing staff."
The report says: "Medicines were administered safely; however, some issues were identified in relation to audits, paperwork and night time medicine arrangements. Dependency levels had not yet been fully completed and some staff felt staffing levels at night were not sufficient.
"However, the provider had implemented new systems including an electronic recording system which would support the assessment of how many staff were needed to meet the needs of people. The home was clean and hygienic .
"The provider had recently purchased the home from the previous provider and had identified several areas where improvement was needed. This included staff training and all staff had been assigned a training programme they needed to complete within a realistic time frame."
"Inconsistent recordkeeping was identified across a variety of records, with some records not being completed appropriately orfully. We discussed this with the provider who demonstrated their new recording system which will promote consistency in record keeping.
"The provider had changed the layout of communal areas within the home to accommodate a bigger office. However, the provider had failed to consult with people and relatives and we fed back to the provider ourconcerns about the communal space available to the 16 people living at the service being limited.
"The provider advised they were in the process of purchasing the neighbouring property and communal space would be considered a priority when using this space to extend the home. They were unable to give a timescale of when any work would be completed.
"People received care which was warm, attentive and person centred. People and relatives consistently shared positive feedback with us about their experience of the care provided at the home. People's preferences, likes and dislikes were recorded in their care plans. Further detail was needed in some people's records though to ensure all records reflected the person centred care provided by staff.
Asked to comment on the current situation at the home, a spokesperson for the CQC said: "The investigation is still live and ongoing, therefore we are not in a position to comment yet."
Anyone with information should contact Bolton CID via 0161 856 5757 or gmp.police.uk. Information about crime can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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