Ex-care home boss neglected residents

Keith Griggs, who managed The New Grange care home, in Homefield Road, Worthing, between January, 2007, and June, 2011, admitted 34 offences at a Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing in London on May 2.

‘Appalling’ care plans, a lack of ‘person-centred care’ and a lack of training were key concerns, amounting to the neglect of 21 of the home’s 24 residents.

Hearing chairman Clive Powell said: “Mr Griggs’ actions were absolute departures from standards expected of a registered nurse and are fundamentally incompatible with him remaining on the register. “

Concerns were first raised in June, 2011, when a former worker sent a whistle blowing email to the Care Quality Commission.

She claimed to have witnessed a care assistant throwing a resident onto a bed and a resident hitting a pregnant care assistant.

An investigation led by West Sussex County Council said the failures amounted to institutional abuse, placing Griggs as responsible. Key issues included:-

n Failing to minimise residents’ risk of falls

n Resident inappropriately cared for on a mattress on the floor

n No evidence or plan documented of resident’s aggressive behaviour, when 52 incidents had been uncovered

n No thermometers for measuring bath water temperatures. When finally purchased, they were kept in Griggs’ office and not used.

n Relatives not consulted on end of life care as discussions were ‘not appropriate’.

The allegations were put to Griggs by council investigators but he felt he had been made a ‘scapegoat’ He did, however, express regret through his representative to the hearing panel. The panel said the striking off order was necessary to maintain public confidence and send a clear message to the rest of the profession.

The home now conforms to all CQC guidelines and has turned the corner, according to current manager Ronniel Alarilla.

He said: “That was a historical issue and the owners and management put in a lot of effort to make sure that the home is working up to scratch and have good standards.

“I am not in a position to comment on the previous management but we have moved a mile since.”