Former Nuneaton nursing home fined £66,000 after two residents were 'catastrophically let down'

One female resident was attacked by someone with known mental health issues.

A care provider has been ordered to pay a total of £81,308.42 at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court after it failed to protect residents from avoidable harm.

Oldbury Grange Nursing Home Ltd in Nuneaton pleading guilty to an offence prosecuted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC prosecuted the provider for two incidents concerning a male and female resident.

In November 2017, a female resident was attacked by someone with known mental health issues, within hours of them being admitted to the home. The attack caused the resident to suffer a fatal head injury and she died on 23rd January 2018.

In another incident, a male resident, who had a history of complications, had a catheter fitted. After this, he became unwell for several days and was admitted to the hospital on 25th December 2018 before he died the day later.

It was found that the nursing home did not have adequate systems for assessing new admissions and so they did not carry out proper checks to reduce any risk to others and they did not have adequate processes in place for recognising and responding to peoples’ health when it deteriorates.

Amanda Lyndon, CQC head of adult social care inspection, said: “Two residents at Oldbury Grange Nursing Home were catastrophically let down by the care provider’s poor systems and processes. CQC expects all residents to receive care and treatment in a safe way.

“Oldbury Grange Nursing Home Ltd failed in its specific legal duty to protect residents from being exposed to a significant risk of harm, which is why they have been fined £66,000.

“This prosecution reminds all care providers they must always ensure people’s safety and manage risks to their wellbeing.

“The majority of care providers do an excellent job but when they don’t, we can and will take action to hold it to account and protect people.”

Oldbury Grange Nursing Home Ltd was also ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge and £15,138.42 costs to the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The care home closed in November 2021 and all patients were transferred to other homes with support from the local authority and clinical commissioning group (CCG).