Telford care home had locks on fire doors
A Telford care home was asked to explain its actions to regulators after chains and locks were pictured securing fire exits.
The Care Quality Commission wrote to the manager of The Priory Nursing and Residential Home in Spring Hill, Wellington, after it was seen to have secured the doors, which would hamper the exit of people from the home in case of an emergency.
The locks have since been removed. They were temporarily in place while a repair was carried out, according to the home.
On May 27, the CQC wrote to the home calling for an explanation after it was sent images showing chains and padlocks securing the handles of the emergency doors.
The CQC said it understood the doors had been padlocked in order to prevent entry by an unknown individual but said that it felt it was not an appropriate response to the problem.
A letter, addressed to home manager Yvonne Griffith, from Emma Wynne, inspection manager, said: "We are currently looking at allegations that were brought to our attention which had the potential to put people living at The Priory Nursing and Residential Home at significant risk; namely the chaining of a number of fire exits.
"This would have delayed or prevented people's exit in the advent of a fire.
These allegations were supported by photographs of the fire doors concerned.
"We understand you were contacted by a representative of the fire service and you told them you had locked the exits to prevent an identified individual from entering.
"A locked fire exit is not acceptable under any circumstances and we believe this was an unsafe response to the situation. "We have been informed you were asked to remove the locks and received confirmation this had been done on May 16, 2016, and understand the fire service are taking no further action."
After the letter was sent, it is understood that the home removed the padlocks and chains from the doors.
Helen Gildersleeve, a spokeswoman for the CQC, said: "I can confirm that the incident has now been resolved and the provider notified us on May 31 that the chains had been removed from the fire exit doors.
"It was brought to the attention of the fire service and the locks were removed following this."
Linda Jones, from the Priory, said: "One door was temporarily chained while it had a simple repair.
"We spoke to Shropshire Fire and Rescue and they were happy with the way it was dealt with and there was no further action required.
"We phoned Telford & Wrekin Council and the CQC and they were also advised by ourselves. It is fine and there are no other issues."
