Struck-off nurse assumed 'lead role' in care home

A nurse who had been struck off was discovered "taking a lead role" in managing a struggling care home in Wirral.

Sandrock Nursing Home in Birkenhead was rated "inadequate" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an April inspection. Inspectors were unable to identify a registered manager, and staff seemed uncertain about who was overseeing day-to-day operations.

The home was previously owned by Prasur Investments Ltd, run by Dr. Srinivas Rao Dharmana, a GP who was suspended for three months in 2017 for prescribing methadone, a controlled drug, to a family member. Prasur Investments has since sold the business.

The CQC indicated it would have taken further regulatory action if Prasur Investments had continued operating the service.

During the inspection, CQC inspectors were introduced to a "matron," described as the "administrator," who appeared to have lead responsibilities in key areas such as dignity, diabetes, infection control, medication, and end-of-life care. The report noted there was "strong evidence" this person was effectively managing the service, despite being a nurse previously banned from practice by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The reason for the nurse's ban was not disclosed.

The CQC criticised the care home's failure to employ qualified staff, stating it put residents at risk of "avoidable harm." Safety concerns highlighted in earlier inspections had not been addressed, and there was no clear safeguarding process or medicines policy in place, leaving residents vulnerable to abuse.

The home has since been sold to Frank Care Ltd, which is now taking over its management.