The quality of adult social care in Barking and Dagenham has come under scrutiny following a series of eye-opening inspections.

%image(14892632, type="article-full", alt="Cloud House, in Roycraft Ave, Barking, was found to be "requiring improvement" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).")

Of the eight providers inspected between April and June, three “require improvement” according to the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Inspectors published their report on Alexander Court Care Centre, in Rainham Road South, Dagenham in June – resulting in a formal suspension of placements for two months and the downgrading of its Environmental Health rating.

Two residents had not taken their prescribed medicines for a month and two diabetic residents were not offered any alternative to the set menu and served with a sugary dessert, the report found.

“The care workers we spoke with told us they were unaware that both people were diabetic,” inspectors noted.

%image(14892632, type="article-full", alt="Cloud House, in Roycraft Ave, Barking, was found to be "requiring improvement" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).")

The kitchen was not kept clean while hoists, wheelchairs and walking aids were stored “inappropriately” in bathrooms and in the garden.

Some residents were not happy with the quality of the food and inspectors found a lack of fresh ingredients in the kitchen but large quantities of powdered soup, dessert mixes and frozen goods.

A spokesman for the home said: “We take the feedback from the CQC very seriously and, following the visit in March, a full clinical and operational review was immediately implemented, with the appointment of a clinical lead, and clear care plans put in place and being stringently followed.”

Places were also suspended at Sahara Parkside, in Longbridge Road, Barking for two months following a similar report.

“Despite the risk of this person’s health deteriorating, leading to hospitalisation or death, being identified through the assessment, the overall level of risk was noted as being medium,” the inspectors wrote in relation to one resident’s treatment.

The report also found that one resident’s primary communication method was through Makaton sign language, something none of the staff had been specially trained in.

Angela Bacon, service manager at Sahara Parkside, said: “The team has worked together to address the issues raised by to ensure that the home meets the correct standards.

“We take the care and safety of our residents very seriously and always ensure their interests and dignity comes first.”

At Cloud House, in Roycraft Avenue, Barking only three of 11 workers had completed formal training in safeguarding adults.

One resident said she didn’t feel safe because “some of the patients are threatening”.

Some residents experienced a range of auditory, visual and command hallucinations but staff had not received training on how to respond.

The home’s management were contacted but declined to comment.

A spokesman for Barking and Dagenham Council said: “We have been in contact with the providers and the service users and we have no concerns for the immediate safety of the users of those services.

“If the situation changes our quality assurance team will step in and take action. If any service user, or their relatives, have concerns, we strongly encourage them to contact 020 8227 2915.”