A DAMNING report has revealed shocking shortcomings at a Hampshire care company.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors were horrified at the widespread shortfalls at Carewatch and discovered it was run so poorly that managers didn't even know how many people were under their care.

Residents had been left in their own filth while others went days without visits and resources were stretched to breaking point, with some staff working 100 hours overtime a week.

Eastleigh-based Carewatch, which is responsible for helping at least 540 people in their homes across the region, was deemed inadequate in every area and racked up two official warning notices and nine breaches of the Health and Social Care Act.

And a relative of someone being cared for said: "My father has gone without care for a day.

"He was left in his own faeces, with no food and on his own.

"Nobody from Carewatch told the local authority or the CQC.

"I had to do it.

"I worry about the people who don't have a voice."

The report reveals that:

  • Rude staff either ignored people and relatives or treated them without dignity or respect
  • Staff were not always properly trained to administer medication
  • People at risk of malnutrition and dehydration were not supported effectively
  • Many staff admitted they were frightened to raise complaints due to fear of being punished by senior staff
  • Care records were not personalised and did not reflect peoples' needs and preferences - and in some cases didn't exist at all
  • More than 100 staff did not have up-to-date training and many were not familiar with whistleblowing policies to raise their worries about wrongdoing or possible illegality.

One member of staff told CQC inspectors: "Sometimes we are guilty of employing unsuitable people.

"The team before was like a dysfunctional family with lots of people who shouldn't have been employed.

"We suspended seven staff at one point."

A Carewatch statement said the firm had experienced challenges originating from the difficulties in recruiting staff locally.

It said: “We have already created a new branch structure and continue to recruit in the area to boost staff numbers, particularly front line care and support workers."