Pensioners went up to seven days without having their dressings changed at the Camberwell Lodge care home.
A Care Quality Commission report found the home on Picton Street was short-staffed and not always managing medicines safely.
The report published this month found the home operated by Country Court Care ‘requires improvement’.
Bermondsey care home “requires improvement” with inspectors concerned over how medicines are given
According to the report, family members had complained about staffing levels prior to the December inspection.
Many people told inspectors that they felt low staffing levels were compromising “the quality and safety of the service”.
One person commented: “There are not enough staff at this home. Sometimes when I press the call point I have had to wait a long time for them to respond.”
Elderly Borough couple left in agony as their ‘filthy’ bandages were left unchanged for a week
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The report said that, in some instances, patients were left waiting over half an hour after using the call bell to signal they needed help.
Another person commented: ”They are doing their best but are too few of them. There are many occasions when there are no members of staff visible.”
People’s dressings were meant to be changed every other day but care notes showed patients had endured waits of five and seven days.
Elderly Borough couple left in agony as their ‘filthy’ bandages were left unchanged for a week
It also found that pressure-relieving mattresses, designed to prevent bed sores, were on the wrong setting for thirteen people.
In some cases, the report said “medicines prescribed ‘when required’ did not always have sufficient information to ensure staff knew what the medicines were for and in what circumstances they should be administered”.
The report said family members worried about their relatives’ care, making comments like “I do not feel easy in my mind that my family member is receiving the best care” and “No, I do not feel assured [family member] is safe.”
However, the report did identify positive aspects of the care given, saying: “Despite the concerns with staffing levels, overall the provider was promoting a positive culture and a person-centred service.
“We received many positive comments about the quality of care and support. Positive comments included “I am very happy with the care [family member] is getting” and “[Family member] is cheerful and settled which is [a] great weight off my mind”.
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Country Court, the operator of Camberwell Lodge, said it was disappointed.
“We are working on a plan of action to send to CQC by the 9th of March. We hope to improve our rating as soon as possible,” said Home Manager Beata Gozdur.
Operations Director, Helen Richmond said. “Camberwell Lodge worked with the council to assist with a home closure and admitted a large number of residents at short notice which was challenging but in the best interest of the residents.
“The home and company had a positive meeting with CQC to discuss the proposed action plan to ensure the issues brought up will be rectified very soon and we are hoping for another reinspection as soon as possible so that we can get the rating changed.”
