A NEW provider has taken over a Poole care facility after the previous provider was placed in special measures for several health and safety failures.

Shaw Healthcare was chosen by the Borough of Poole to run the service at Trinidad Village in Rossmore Road, replacing London Care.

The extra care facility – one of just three in the borough – was visited by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) last year. They uncovered a series of failings and rated the service provided by London Care as ‘inadequate’.

A report found that residents’ medicines were not being managed safely, assessments of equipment, such as hoists, bed rails, and oxygen condensers, had not been carried out, and there were not enough staff employed to meet people’s needs.

One relative told inspectors their father had not had a shower for nine weeks.

The council-owned facility had only opened in December 2016, and London Care was given six months to improve.

However, last week, Shaw took over as care provider of Trinidad Village, as well as Delphis Court in the town centre and Belmont Court in Parkstone.

But the son of one Trinidad resident has expressed concerns over a number of staff who resigned when Shaw took over.

Rob Ayres said Shaw were currently relying on agency staff, some of whom are not qualified to administer medicine.

“Only two of the original carers and one manager are still here,” he said.

“I’m just concerned about the way forward as it will take them time to recruit new staff. My father’s care needs have changed as he’s just come out of hospital.”

But a spokesperson for Shaw said they were “confident that the care we have delivered at the service has been of a good standard.”

“Staffing levels were consistent and all medication was delivered as required,” they added.

Phil Hornsby, head of commissioning and improvement for People Services at Borough of Poole, said: “We are aware that a number of staff who were due to transfer to the new care provider at Trinidad Village Extra Care Scheme have decided to leave. However, Shaw Healthcare was aware this could happen and have drafted in extra staff to supplement their workforce to cover all care and support needs of our residents.

“The council is satisfied that a high level of care is in place which includes cover at the weekend.”

Shaw was recently selected through an open tender process to provide care at a new, council-owned specialist nursing and dementia care home, Figbury Lodge, which opens in summer 2019.