'Disturbing' details of conditions at Lambert House exposed

Care Quality Commission inspectors visiting Lambert House in Bowthorpe found faeces on toilet walls and door handles, cleaning supplies left out and - on one occasion - a resident left exposed from the waist down on their bed.

The site is home to 11 people with severe forms of autism, but it was announced last month that the home is due to close following concerns raised by the CQC.

Now, the inspection in which these concerns were raised has been published - with the father of one resident describing the findings as "disturbing reading".

Among the stark details highlighted in the report were:

• Cleaning products being left out in communal areas - despite some residents being at high risk of drinking them
• Faeces was found around the communal toilet, including on the inside of the door handle and the flushing button
• Water supplies in toilets and sinks were switched off - with no alternative handwashing provision offered
• Bedding and towels in bedrooms were soiled

The inspection also raised concerns of "dehumanising practices" in the home.

The report reads: "Observations of staff support raised concerns of dehumanising practices within the service.

"For example, we observed a member of staff sitting in the doorway facing into a person's bedroom so the door was unable to close.

"We observed the person lying on an uncovered mattress. The person was naked from the waist down and completely exposed to anyone walking past their room."

Inspectors were told the water supply had been turned off to prevent residents from consuming the tap water - due to two residents being at risk of excessive drinking.

The report reads: "The water in toilets and accessible sinks had been switched off.

"Staff told us this was to manage the risk of people drinking excessively, however, no consideration had been given to how this impacted good hand hygiene.

"No other measures, such as hand sanitiser, had been implemented."

The home was rated inadequate in all but one area of the report and overall - plunging into special measures.

A spokesperson from Autism Anglia, which runs the home, said: "We were very disappointed with the findings of the CQC report.

"We would like to apologise to all of those in our care at Lambert House, and their families, for not providing support at the high standards for which we are known.

"Unfortunately, due to a significant shortage of staff with specialist expertise to support people with autism and complex needs, we have now made a decision to close Lambert House and are working with local authorities to find suitable alternative accommodation for the residents."

The report adds: "People were not treated with dignity and respect. Their privacy was not maintained.

"While we noted some individual staff interaction with people was kind and caring, we did not find this to be consistent throughout the inspection.

"We observed there was limited engagement from staff with the people they were supporting.

"On one visit, we noted an agency member of staff providing support to one person while wearing ear pods and using their mobile phone on several occasions.

"The support provided was not person-centred because the staff did not follow risk assessments or care plans. This placed people at risk of harm."

A staff member, who did not wish to be named, said bosses at Autism Anglia had "put off" crucial repair works.

On announcing the closure last month, Autism Anglia chief executive Katie Hancock said it was an "incredibly difficult decision" to permanently close the site.

She added: "Despite our best efforts to recruit, we have been unable to hire skilled support workers or agency staff with the appropriate qualifications.

"We do not have a date for closure and are working with the relevant authorities to ensure the best possible outcomes for everyone."