The saga of Chase Nursing Home in Brownhills, and the withdrawal of it’s contract after a damning inspection report by the Care Quality Commission rumbles on. I’ve just received the following press release from Walsall Council which details current events.

The care of those with mental health issues is something that’s very close to my heart, and this saddens and infuriates me by turns. Any of us can fall, none of us can claim immunity. The least society owes people in crisis is dignified, respectful care.

Thanks to reader and top local chap Andy Hollyhead, those wishing to read the inspection report can do so by following this link.

Chase Nursing Home is situated in what used to be Brownhills Vicarage. It’s unclear what will now happen to this remarkable property.

Walsall Council  PR 8404    19/10/2012    [For Immediate Release]

Chase Nursing Home residents supported

Residents are being supported to leave Chase Nursing Home after its owner suddenly announced his intention to close it down at the end of this week.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued warning notices to provider Heritage Healthcare (Midlands) Ltd after inspectors visited the home in Vicarage Road, Brownhills, earlier this year and raised a host of concerns.

These were in relation to the care and welfare of people who use services, consent to care and treatment and the management of medicines.

The CQC said it could not be sure people were protected from the “risk of abuse” and also criticised poorly-kept records.

Walsall Council’s Quality Assurance Team and NHS Walsall had also raised concerns and had been working with the home’s owner who continually failed to address the concerns raised.

The council felt this failure to improve was so serious that it issued default notices to the provider on Monday 8 October 2012 – making him aware of its intention to terminate the contract.

Walsall Council, NHS Walsall, Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Trust and Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust all have a duty to ensure the standards and quality of services provided.

Staff across health and social care have been working for some time to address the issues there and have been supporting its residents, who have enduring mental health problems, and their families to find alternative services for them, and new homes where appropriate.

They have also held meetings for families to ensure they understand all the concerns raised and give them an opportunity to ask questions.

No time limit had been put on the process of moving residents – this was being done in accordance with their wishes, and those of their families. But the home’s owner has announced his intention to close his business down on Friday 19 October.

There are 13 residents that are funded by the council and the mental health trust and they have been supported to find alternative homes that can meet their needs.

Councillor Barbara McCracken, Walsall Council Coalition portfolio holder for social care and health, said: “We are disappointed that the home’s owner has taken the sudden decision to close it knowing the effect this could have on vulnerable residents.

“As we have been working closely with residents and their families for some time they can be assured that we continue to have their best interests at heart and will maintain our support during this difficult time.

“The concerns raised have all been so serious that we could not stand by and support people to carry on living at the Chase, particularly in light of the lack of co-operation from the owner.

“This situation shows that poor quality in the borough’s homes will not be tolerated.”