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A UK care group operating two Jersey care homes has apologised for shortcomings identified by the Jersey Care Commission and outlined steps to address the issues.
Aria Care, which manages L'Hermitage Care Home and Beaumont Villa in St Peter, expressed regret that some procedures and policies failed to meet expected standards.
Pictured: Two care homes operated by Aria Care were found to have significant areas requiring improvement following inspections.
The apology comes after inspections carried out by Jersey's care watchdog in early 2024 revealed issues including staff shortages, safety protocol lapses, and management problems.
A spokesperson for Aria Care said: "We sincerely apologise to our residents and their loved ones for any shortcomings.
"The health and well-being of our residents is our utmost priority, and we take feedback from the Jersey Care Commission extremely seriously.
"We are confident that the Commission will continue to recognise the progress we have made as we work together constructively."
To address the concerns raised, Aria Care has taken several steps to improve its operations.
The company said it had since fixed problems with paperwork for temporary staff, ensuring all necessary documents are now properly filed and available for inspection.
It has also improved its medication training programme, making sure all staff members are up-to-date with their qualifications to safely administer medications to residents.
Additionally, Aria Care has hired two new managers who will "work to create a better environment for both residents and staff".
In an inspection report authored after visiting L'Hermitage Care Home, the Commission said: "On the first two inspection visits, staffing levels were below the minimum requirement."
It also found that "night staff levels were below the minimum requirement for several nights during a two-week period in March".
The Commission also found evidence of a lack of regular fire drills and training for both day and night staff, as per the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service guidance.
Additionally, the report said: "Most qualified staff responsible for administering medications were overdue for training to maintain their medication competency."
The Commission also found that the culture and management of L'Hermitage should be improved.
"Staff confirmed hesitancy in voicing concerns or expressing opinions freely," the inspection report said.
As a result, a "discretionary condition" was applied to suspend admissions until improvements were made.
Pictured: At L'Hermitage, eleven areas for improvement were identified, with concerns including a lack of staff and insufficient training.
When asked about Aria’s compliance with suggested improvements, the Jersey Care Commission said: “We are unable to comment on the circumstances surrounding individual care.”
Meanwhile, an inspection of Beaumont Villa in April 2024 revealed similar issues, including inadequate staffing levels and recruitment practices for agency workers.
The report said: "There were no copies available to the regulation officers of references, criminal records checks, previous work history details, or confirmation of the right to work in Jersey available within the staff files."
Fire safety and staff training were also areas of concern at Beaumont Villa, with a February 2024 quality assurance report describing staff training compliance as "poor".
In addition, the Commission found Beaumont Villa's "management style" negatively impacted the workplace culture in the home.
Pictured: Staffing levels and recruitment practices at Beaumont Villa were found by the Jersey Care Commission to be lacking.
Therefore, the report called for "a management structure in place which promotes a positive culture, enables communication and includes clear lines of accountability which enable the effective and safe delivery of services."
The home was also found to provide "a lack of resources designed to meet the needs of people living with dementia", according to the report.
Pictured: Beaumont Villa Care Home was given until 15 June to comply.
A spokesperson for the Jersey Care Commission said: "Our priority is to ensure that individuals in those care settings that we regulate are safe and well cared for.
“We will continue to work with both L'Hermitage Care Home and Beaumont Villa Care Home to support them in ensuring that they meet the requirements of registration."
In response to the findings, Deputy Montfort Tadier encouraged islanders to speak out if they have concerns.
In a statement, he said: "I have been made aware of two cases about one particular nursing home – one from six weeks ago and another more recently that involved an end-of-life scenario; both cases were very alarming.
"It is important to remember that there are many very good and committed staff in Jersey care homes."
Deputy Tadier continued: "What can be a problem are pressures on staffing, and some workplace cultures – something which was pointed out by the Care Commission recently – which can impact on delivery of good care.
"I do feel for those in care who don't have friends of family members to visit and keep an eye out for them; also because loneliness can be a big problem.
"As a community, we all need to consider how we look out for those in care, who might not always be visible or have a voice."
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