A care home where residents were put ‘at risk of abuse’ has been taken out of special measures but told it must still make further improvements. Smithy Bridge Court, in Littleborough, was deemed ‘inadequate’ following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in July last year - the lowest possible rating.
The watchdog found no evidence that anyone had been hurt at the Barke Street home, which provides care for up to 51 people with complex care and mental health needs, including dementia. But officials said it lacked ‘robust’ systems and effective management - meaning people were not safe and were at ‘risk of avoidable harm’.
Run by provider St Augustine, it was in breach of care regulations and faced being shut down if it failed to make ‘significant improvements’. However, a follow-up inspection last month found important progress had been made - the home was no longer in breach of regulations and could be removed from special measures.
