A CARE provider in Westcliff has had three of its homes put into special measures after being rated “inadequate” by a health watchdog.

Health and Home Essex Ltd runs Ravensmere Rest Home and Alexander Private Nursing Home in Westcliff and Barling Lodge in Little Wakering.

All three have been rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission in reports published in January and February.

The Echo reported last week that staff members at Ravensmere did not always follow safe practice when supporting people with their medicines, people were at risk as the infection prevention and control systems were not effective, and fire safety procedures were not effective.

In its findings for Alexander Private Nursing Home, the CQC said there were strong risks of infection spreading, and that the home was in places “in a poor state of repair”.

The inspectors witnesses a member of staff caring for a resident, then disposing of food waste while using the same gloves.

The report said: “The foot peddle on the clinical waste bin was broken and we saw the staff member shut the lid by hand whilst wearing the same gloves.

“They then removed the gloves and placed them in their pocket, whilst closing the door of the sluice facility using the same handle they had touched when entering.

“There was no facility available to this staff member to wash their hands. We asked the staff member about their techniques and they told us, ‘No one ever checks us. There is nowhere up here to wash our hands’.”

Infection risks were also found at Barling Lodge. Inspectors said: “People’s rights were not protected. The service did not always follow the Mental Capacity Act principles.

“Mental capacity assessments for specific decisions had not been completed and correct legal authorisation had not been updated when new restrictions were added to deprive people of their liberty.

“People were not always supported by staff that had the necessary skills and knowledge to meet their needs.

“We found some parts of the home were not clean or well maintained. Two rooms smelt strongly of urine, we found some pressure mattresses required cleaning.

“Where the flooring in one person’s room was very stained on day two of inspection the provider had taken action to replace this.”

Andreas Stavrinides, director of Health and Home Limited, previously told the Echo the company would be appealing the CQC’s rating into Ravensmere.

The company has now also stated it would appeal the other ratings.