Leas Cross only a warning bell

WHILE Leas Cross is the nursing home found to have major inadequacies, it is no different from many others around the country. To hold it up as a stand-alone example would be misleading and totally inaccurate.

Some are exceptionally well run and the management, while keeping an eye on the necessary budget restrictions and profit sheets, at least ensures that client safety and comfort are top priorities. Unfortunately, as a nurse who has worked in eight different homes I’ve only come across one that meets that standard.

Lack of staff, especially at night, is the biggest problem. Most homes run at a ratio of one carer to 15 or 20 clients. Some can have an even higher ratio of clients to nurses. If the clients are not overly dependent, this level would be difficult but could be coped with. But if the vast majority of clients are fully dependent, then God help them because no matter how hard the nurses/carers work, it’s going to be impossible to look after them all.