A MONMOUTH care home has restricted visitors because of an outbreak of sickness and vomiting, just days after the publication of a damning report into care at the site.

The Care and Social

Services Inspectorate for Wales found Gibraltar Care Village on Portal Road to be failing seven residential home regulations; including providing adequate pain relief, nutrition, and dignity.

The care village is home to 95 people and is run by PSP Healthcare Ltd, the family of Shrien Dewani who was freed last week following accusations of plotting to kill his new wife Anni in South Africa.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Monmouthshire County Council have ordered the care

village to stop admitting residents following "a significant number" of

complaints.

The report was written after an unannounced visit was launched by the inspectorate on 18th September in response to concerns voiced by visitors to the home.

It found that during the visit, the physical and emotional needs of residents was not always being met. The document describes how some people observed were bored, lonely and under stimulated. It goes on to say: "throughout our visit we observed that people's dignity was not always respected.

"People can not always be confident that they will have a voice and their rights will be respected."

Infection control was another issue of concern. Worries over the centre's ability to monitor and restrict the spread of infection was reported to the care inspectorate in March 2014, and during their September visit they were informed that deep cleaning and fumigation were being undertaken to control any further outbreak.

Last week the Beacon was made aware of a sickness breakout initially involving three floors of the main care building.

When monitoring the nutrition of residents, inspectors recorded: "The food looked unappetising and bland. It had no form and the flavours would have been indistinguishable as they had been mixed together. This demonstrated that the care staff have little understanding of the importance of nutrition."

It went on to say: "The impact of people not receiving the appropriate level of monitoring and support in relation to their nutritional needs and fluid intake is that weight loss and dehydration can go undetected."

The report found that temperatures in the home reached 30ºC, "which adds to the risk of people becoming dehydrated".

People were observed as being in pain, and morphine and the antipsychotic drug Haloperidol were recorded as running out of stock.

The home's motto is: "People Supporting People," as they claim to specialise in caring for people with dementia. Inspectors disagreed however, as they state: "we conclude that people living with dementia and their families cannot be confident that the service is able to meet their specialist needs. We noted a lack of understanding and insight into how to communicate effectively with people experiencing dementia".

The report recorded a lack of dignity offered to residents. "The impact for people using the service is that they may feel devalued, belittled, humiliated and distressed".

It went on to say: "It was evident that the carers were exceptionally busy."

A Monmouthshire County Council spokesperson said: "Following concerns raised in relation to Gibraltar House Care Home, Monmouth, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Monmouthshire County Council confirm that they are working with residents, families and advocates to maintain people's health and personal care needs and they are continuing to support staff and monitor the situation at the home.

"Health and social services professionals have been reassessing the nursing and social care needs of the residents.  Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of residents, many of whom have significant and complex care needs and ensure they receive the care they need".