(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
A Bishop Auckland care home has been told to improve after inspectors found unsafe windows and furniture that put residents at risk, and staff lacking training and clear care plans.
The Fields Care Home on Low Etherley, Bishop Auckland, was inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) between June 22 and July 1.
The home was told it requires improvements after a string of issues were found by inspectors.
Its manager told The Northern Echo most of the issues found have been largely addressed, with further improvements being made.
Inspectors found windows in some rooms including two residents' upstairs bedrooms were not fitted with window restrictors designed to prevent accidental falls.
The CQC said this posed a "significant risk", particularly for dementia sufferers.
Restrictors were fitted to most of the windows by the second day of the inspection but inspectors found those already fitted were not robust, with most opening more than 10cm and with visible screws meaning they were not tamper-proof.
Large wardrobes and cupboards had not been secured to walls, posing another risk to residents they could topple.
Inspectors said most care plan reviews were overdue, meaning staff "did not always have access to accurate and up-to-date information to support residents safely."
In one case, a care plan had been written in December 2024 and last reviewed in December 2025 despite the resident’s needs having changed.
Another resident’s hospital passport had been written in 2023 and described their dementia as early onset, despite inspectors finding their dementia was now more advanced.
The CQC warned outdated information could result in incorrect information being shared during emergencies.
Inspectors also uncovered conflicting information about a resident’s diet because of a choking risk. The resident’s care plan said they required a minced and moist diet when they needed a soft and bite-sized diet.
But staff told inspectors the resident was actually receiving pureed food instead.
The CQC said the resident’s choking risk assessment had also not been reviewed since April 2026.
The regulator said staff could not be assured they were working from accurate and up-to-date information about the resident’s needs.
The report said immediate action was taken after inspectors raised the issue and later observations showed the resident was receiving food at the appropriate consistency.
The CQC found staff had not received training in learning disability care and there was no evidence staff had received condition-specific training to support residents with Parkinson’s disease.
Inspectors said the lack of relevant training increased the risk of staff not having the necessary understanding to provide care in line with residents’ assessed needs.
Although staff generally said staffing levels were adequate, they told inspectors they felt rushed during busy periods, including mornings and mealtimes and inspectors observed call bells sounding for prolonged periods.
The CQC said most staff were gathered on the lower ground floor, meaning they were not deployed effectively around the building, particularly at mealtimes when some residents ate in their rooms.
The manager told inspectors that no formal staff supervisions or annual appraisals had taken place during 2025.
The CQC said the lack of regular supervision and appraisals meant the provider could not demonstrate that staff performance, competency and development needs were being consistently monitored.
The CQC also found the home’s environment was not dementia-friendly.
Inspectors found clocks displaying the wrong time, many doors without signage and flooring which did not support dementia-friendly care.
The regulator said residents and relatives were not consistently involved in planning or reviewing care.
One family member told inspectors: “We were not consulted in the care planning for [name] despite being their main carer at home. We didn’t know how we could contribute. We thought because [name] came here from hospital, it would be hospital staff who told the staff here.”
Despite the catalogue of concerns, the CQC said residents spoke positively about staff and described them as kind, caring and respectful.
One resident told inspectors: “They treat me like the Queen Mother.”
The CQC said the atmosphere at the home was calm and welcoming, with residents appearing relaxed around staff.
The Fields Care Home was rated ‘requires improvement’ overall, with the same rating given for safe, effective, caring and well-led.
READ MORE:
- Teesside nursery 'needs attention' as Ofsted raises welfare and behaviour concerns
- 'Happy' Sunderland nursery where 'children made safer' praised by Ofsted
- North Yorkshire care worker preparing for Great North Run for charity
Its responsive rating remained ‘good’.
Manager Tracy Cowans said: "Most of the issues highlighted in the report have mostly been addressed and were already in progress before the inspection was completed.
"We will be continuing to improve systems to ensure that these issues cannot occur again."