Care home fined £104,000 over rodent infestation

The bosses of a mice-infested care home have been fined £104,000 for breaking food hygiene laws.

Wigan Magistrates Council ordered the Acorns Care Centre in Wigan to pay a fine of £104,000 plus £1,900 in costs, the Manchester Evening News reported.

The fine follows an inspection by the CQC published in January which found the service Inadequate (see Mouse infested care home rated Inadequate).

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Commenting at the time, Debbie Westhead, CQC’s Deputy Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care said: “It was concerning that environmental health inspectors found a mice infestation and the provider had not undertaken building repairs in a timely fashion to prevent rodent access. Pest control arrangements were also ineffective for the needs of this home.”

Care home consultancy Caresolve was appointed in January to work with the home’s owners.

Ben Challinor, Caresolve’s Consultancy Director, said: “We were engaged by Acorns following a CQC inspection in November 2017 in which the home was rated Inadequate.

“We have since been working closely with both the owner and manager of the home to address all issues highlighted in the report. Issues raised in this case date back to a time prior to our engagement, however, we are now confident that any failings have been fully addressed, with safeguards implemented to ensure they do not re-arise in future. We would welcome a re-inspection.

“Two directors of Caresolve have become non-executive directors in order to strengthen the board and to provide improved governance and oversight.”