Failing care home shut by health watchdog following safety concerns

A care home in Rochdale has been closed down over safety failings.

Meavy View Retirement Home, on Milkstone Road, has been in special measures since April 2023.

The most recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection report, published in March, identified trip hazards and choking risks, resulting in another ‘inadequate’ rating – the second in just over a year.

CQC bosses said they put the home in special measures to ‘protect people’, and vowed to keep the facility under close review.

MTCARE Property Limited, which runs the home, has been rated either ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’ following its last five inspections.

The CQC has now removed the registration of the care provider, citing safety concerns.

A CQC spokesperson said: “Following an inspection of Meavy View Retirement Home in Milkstone Road, Rochdale, run by MTCARE Property Limited, CQC took action to remove their registration, in effect cancelling the service.

“MTCARE Property Limited appealed our decision to the first-tier tribunal in line with legal process. They withdrew their appeal on 22 April, meaning that service will close as the provider is now de-registered.

“People who live at Meavy View are being supported by the local authority to move to alternative accommodation. People using services should receive safe, effective and high-quality care that meets their needs.

“Where that isn’t happening, we take action to support services to improve, and if necessary take enforcement action. Our priority will always be the safety of people using health and social care services.”

Residents are being moved to new facilities by Rochdale Council.

Nichola Thompson, the council’s director of adult social care, said: “Following the Care Quality Commission’s action to close Meavy View care home, we are working with other agencies to support our residents in finding alternative care home accommodation as quickly and as safely as possible.

“We are in regular communication with residents, their families, carers and advocates to keep them informed and updated, with the individual needs and wellbeing of our residents the priority.”

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that they are investigating reports of administration errors in relation to the care home. Enquiries are ongoing at this time.

Meavy View Retirement Home and MTCARE Property Limited have been contacted for comment.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter