AN INADEQUATE care home which “intrudes on dementia patient’s privacy” and uses CCTV in bedrooms has been slammed after failing to improve.

Ashingdon Hall care home, in Church Road, Rochford, was rated inadequate in July 2023 and placed in special measures, but a Care Quality Commission inspection in December found the home has not made any improvements.

The care home, which supports “older people with dementia” had been criticised previously for using CCTV in communal areas and bedrooms without consent.

However, the inspection on December 4, 7, and 18, found the CCTV was still in place and people’s “privacy and dignity were not always respected”.

The home was again rated inadequate and will remain in special measures until urgent improvements are made.

The report states: “The provider did not ensure people were always treated with respect and dignity.

“There was no evidence to show less restrictive options were considered relating to the use of CCTV in people’s bedrooms, which were less intrusive for the privacy and dignity of people who were living on the Dementia Suite.

“Staff did not understand the importance of treating people with dignity and respecting their human rights."

There were six people living on the residential suite and eight people living on the dementia suite at the time of this inspection.

Inspectors have now told the care home to make immediate improvements and it has been kept it in special measures to protect the safety and welfare of people living there.

The report added: “People using the service and their relatives were not involved in developing their care plan. Where people were at the end of their life, care plans did not reflect their individual preferences and wishes relating to how they would like their care to be delivered.

“The provider’s arrangements to manage concerns and complaints were not robust. Relatives knew who to approach if they had any concerns or complaints. However, there was little evidence available to demonstrate the actions taken to address all concerns raised and to improve practice and prevent reoccurrence or lessons learned.