A KEYNSHAM nursing home that was criticised by a care watchdog last year could be given a new role.
A Care Quality Commission inspection at Charlton House last October found the quality of care at the home was inadequate. A follow-up inspection in January found that progress had been made but the service still needed improvement.
Charlton House is run by Bath and North East Somerset Council, which is considering “reshaping” services at three of its community resource centres people.
The Keynsham centre currently has just 11 out of 30 beds occupied.
Under the proposals, those 11 places could be moved to Cleeve Court in Bath, which could become a “centre of excellence” for dementia care.
This would then free up Charlton House to offer other care or accommodation services, such as a ‘step-down’ ward over winter.
The other facility affected is Combe Lea in Midsomer Norton, whose services would be enhanced to enable younger people with complex needs to live closer to home.
A report before Councillor Alison Born, cabinet member for adult services, recommends approval for a six-week consultation.
Councillor Born said: “I am acutely aware that these are people’s homes and so residents, their families and staff must have their say.”
“Running alongside any decision is also the fact that providing care is very costly and like every council there are huge pressures on our budgets.
“I shall give careful consideration to the report and the next steps for our community resource centres in the best interest of the people we care for now and into the future.”
Charlton House is registered to provide 30 nursing care beds, Combe Lea to provide 30 beds and Cleeve Court 45 beds.
The council says it has invested significantly in the three centres, but rising costs could see the service face a potential £1 million overspend in the next financial year.
The report before Councillor Born says there is ample alternative provision of general nursing care home services for adults in B&NES but there are shortfalls in complex needs services.
And it says that the Charlton House building, which is relatively new and is of high quality, is suitable for several accommodation uses.
Charlton House was transferred to the council in 2020 after Sirona announced it was handing back the contract.
The CQC report in October found that one resident was left sitting in urine overnight and that another had not eaten or drunk anything for two days.
The council apologised for the conditions in the now council-run care home, with Councillor Born telling a council scrutiny panel: “We are extremely sorry that we have let people down and have not provided the consistently high quality of care that residents and their families expect and deserve.”