Residents at immediate risk of harm in Southampton care home , says CQC

dailyecho.co.uk · Feb 23, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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Inspectors who visited a Southampton care home rated 'inadequate' have warned that residents were at an immediate risk of harm - with residents moved out. The Care Quality Commission inspection of Rowan House, which provided personal care for adults over 65 with dementia or other mental health needs, was prompted by concerns about end-of-life care, staffing, training and governance. Inspectors found people living at Rowan House in Darwin Road were exposed to immediate risk of harm due to failings in several important areas. As reported, all residents were supported by Southampton City Council to find alternative placements in October 2025. The CQC identified a registration problem which meant Rowan House could not continue providing regulated service. At the time of inspection, ten adults over 65 living with dementia and mental health conditions were living at the home. Cllr Anne Marie Finn, cabinet member for adult social care and public health, said: “We continued to speak with each of the residents, their families and their new providers in the months following their move to provide support, reassurance and ensure that new arrangements continued to meet people’s assessed care and support needs. Residents at Rowan House were moved after the CQC identified a registration issue meaning the care home could no longer be a regulated service. (Image: Lucy Blackmur) "We want to see our residents in care homes having good quality care. "We don’t want them to have to experience the stress of a move but this was sadly necessary. "I am therefore very grateful to staff for the support they gave to residents and families during this difficult time.” The provider was found to be in breach of ten regulations linked to person-centred care, dignity and respect, consent, safe care, safeguarding, premises and equipment, governance, staffing, staff suitability, and the reporting of incidents. The report said: "Person-centred care was not always provided. "Care records were inaccurate, incomplete or misleading, particularly for people with complex conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy and asthma. "Staff did not have access to reliable information to deliver safe, individualised care. "People’s dignity and privacy were not consistently protected." Medicine management was unsafe and there were delays in recognising and responding to deterioration. A Covid-19 outbreak was only identified when inspectors suggested testing. Inspectors said: "Safeguarding incidents that resulted in harm, injury or hospital admission were not recorded, reported or investigated." The building was described as unsafe and unclean, with poor infection control and fire safety risks not dealt with. The report said leadership and governance were found to be ineffective, the managers and the provider did not fully understand or meet their legal responsibilities, and important records were incomplete. Inspectors said: "Staffing arrangements were unsafe. "There were not enough trained and competent staff to meet people’s needs." However, despite these failings, inspectors noted that some residents and relatives described Rowan House as “warm and friendly” and praised staff for their kindness and dedication. Rowan House, run by registered managers Allison Gale and Angela Hurley, declined to comment in detail but a spokesperson said the report came as a complete shock to them. They said: "You can't argue... they're just right and you're wrong all the time. "You have to accept it and take it on the chin."