A mysterious green liquid, sticky floors and a foul smell were just some of the shocking findings at a failing Wirral care home.
A grim new report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has outlined a number of failings at Park House care home and now inspectors have warned rapid improvements need to be made soon or further action will be taken.
The care home, on Park Road South in Birkenhead, cares for up to 111 people and has been rated inadequate following an inspection on September and October 2024.
The inspection was the first of the service since Lentulus Properties Limited took over the care home in January 2024, operating under the name Springcare Care Homes.
The CQC said its inspection was prompted after concerns were raised about care, staff levels, record keeping and safeguarding.
The inspector found seven regulations breaches, issued three warning notices to the service, and Wirral Council’s Infobank website said new placements by the local authority have been suspended to the home since October 2024.
Karen Knapton, deputy director of operations in the North for the CQC, said they were concerned about the widespread deterioration of the service, adding: "We found there wasn’t always enough staff to meet people’s needs.
"Staff also told us that this understaffing put significant additional pressure on them, and a lack of support and guidance from management impacted on the quality of care they were able to deliver.
"Staff didn't always respect people’s privacy, dignity, and independence and it was uncomfortable to hear some staff referring to people by their room number rather than their names.
"This is unacceptable for the people who call Park House home.
"We found communal kitchenette areas, fridges, bathrooms and equipment were dirty and needed cleaning.
"Leaders were aware of the infection risk this presented to people living at the home but haven’t done anything to address the issue.
"Staff had left a cup of green liquid, which they couldn't identify, in reach of anyone using the service, our inspectors had to ask for this to be removed to keep people safe.
"This is just one example of safety risks that leaders weren’t managing in the service.
"People and their relatives weren’t always aware of what medicines they were given or why. One relative told us of an incident of their loved one not being observed taking their medication, and it was later found on the floor.
"We have told the service where we expect to see rapid and widespread improvements and we will return to check on their progress.
"We won't hesitate to use our regulatory powers further if people aren’t receiving the care they have a right to expect."
Three areas of the home were downgraded to inadequate with two areas requiring improvement.
Inspectors found people's nutritional needs weren’t always made, little evidence relatives were involved in making decisions for patients who cannot make decisions for themselves, and limited access to activities and social stimulation.
Two safeguarding issues were not reported to Wirral Council, one of which involved unexplained bruising.
A recommendation that someone was referred to a dietitian following weight loss was not followed.
While one person told the CQC changes in staff had led to improvements, another said: "Some staff have listened and improved after issues I raised, but for some it falls on deaf ears."
Daily handovers between staff had reportedly stopped according to the CQC while some relatives said they were not involved at all in their loved one’s care.
Some people said they thought their relatives were safe "but there have been instances in the past with previous staff members" and "don’t like when people wander round and come into rooms and at night time, it’s worse."
Communication issues and unsafe moving and handling practices were found while the CQC was not informed about four safeguarding referrals.
The CQC report said out of date milk was found in the fridge while some foods weren’t dated, adding: "The walls and floors were dirty with food and drink splashes on them and floors were sticky to the touch.
"Two of the bathrooms were out of order due to a previous leak and some people’s bedrooms needed refurbishing.
"There was a malodorous smell within the home and a sluice room which should have been kept locked with a keypad, to keep people safe, could be pushed open."
There was mixed feedback on staff with some being praised as brilliant and "always nice to me" though there were issues at night and one person reported they "are still having issues with lazy staff."
Staff morale was reportedly "very low" with low staff numbers and some patients were left with cold meals.
While some staff said management was approachable, "other staff said they didn’t feel there was any point speaking up as nothing would change or they would be listened to."
Management told the CQC "one of their biggest challenges was changing the culture of the service."
Supervision records of staff were considered poor and all staff bar three recent appointments had not had a DBS check for several years.
Damaged furniture was also found within the home and there was not an effective approach to managing infection risk.
The CQC also found people "laying in bed with doors open in an undignified position” and personal information wasn’t always stored securely. Staff were also observed talking about people “in a negative way."
Park House Care Home has been approached for comment.
Cllr Julie McManus, chair of Wirral Council's adult social care and public health committee, said: "Following the initial findings of the CQC inspection last year, a voluntary suspension on new admissions to Park House was put in place.
"This was followed by a formal suspension by Wirral Adult Health & Care Commissioning, Contracts and Quality Team in January 2025, following the final CQC announcement.
"The inspectors' findings were very disappointing, and the service is working closely with the council’s Quality Improvement team to make the required improvements – ensuring that all residents receive the high quality care they deserve."
