Billingshurst care home is told - for the fifth time - that it must improve

Longfield Manor in West Street, Billingshurst, was inspected by the Care Quality Commission in December and, in a report just out, the inspectors said they found “an increased risk that people could be harmed.”

They rated the care home as ‘requiring improvement’ for the fifth consecutive time.

The inspectors said residents - all older people with mental health and physical health problems - could not be assured of receiving safe epilepsy support.

And they said that although some improvement had been made in preventing falls and behaviour support, there had not been enough improvement.

But, they added that “People received care and support in a timely way, and we saw staff taking the time to sit and talk to people.”

The care home is run by Sussex Health Care which is currently at the centre of a years-long police investigation into the deaths of eight people at nine of its homes.

The Care Quality Commission is now requesting an action plan of improvements at Longfield Manor and says it will work with West Sussex County Council and Sussex Health Care to monitor progress.

A spokesman for Sussex Health Care said: “Whilst we are disappointed with the overall findings from the CQC, we welcome the fact that the report clearly highlights the caring, kind and trusting environment staff have created for residents at the home.

“Providing those we look after with the best quality of care will always be our utmost priority. As such, we are heartened to see the regulator recognise our service as welcoming, that people feel safe and are treated with compassion.

“We have taken on board the areas identified by the CQC that we need to focus on and remain committed to continually improving the care and support we provide.”