Four in ten care homes are not fit for purpose: At least 70,000 vulnerable people at risk as families tell how relatives were grabbed by the throat, thrown on beds and sworn at by carers

Social care is in such crisis that four in ten homes fail inspections.

Watchdogs have reported on 5,300 care homes this year and 2,000 were found inadequate or in need of improvement.

It means 70,000 vulnerable residents and patients are at risk.

Inspectors found elderly who were left filthy and starving. Others were locked in their bedrooms with no natural light. 

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt (pictured) said that he expects 'significant improvements where care is below expectations 

Many were given the wrong medication. Despite the litany of failings, the Care Quality Commission has successfully prosecuted just five homes over the past two years. The Daily Mail's audit of reports published by the watchdog reveals that:

• 38 per cent of care homes failed inspections this year;

• More than half of those run by big firms including Bupa were said to be failing;

• At least 9,000 vulnerable people are in homes that do not meet basic safety standards;

• Police investigated a home where an elderly resident allegedly choked to death and another where a resident was left alone while having a seizure.

Responding to the findings, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said last night: 'Any instance of care falling short is one too many. We expect significant improvements where care is below expectations.'

Since October 2014, the CQC has inspected adult social care services using an Ofsted-style system. Homes are rated as outstanding, good, requiring improvement or inadequate.

Inspectors found elderly who were left filthy and starving, while some were locked in their bedrooms (stock photo)

Of 5,361 reports published this year, 38 per cent received the worst two ratings. Just 86 homes were outstanding. Another 262 were rated inadequate – leaving 9,000 residents with no guarantee of being protected from harm.

The Mail's findings suggest the crisis in care homes is far more severe than previously thought. Last month the CQC published a major report, which suggested that out of 14,900 care homes 22.5 per cent were failing. However, the figures related to reports since October 2014 – rather than being broken down by year.

The Mail's findings suggest particular concerns with major private providers. Four Seasons Health Care, which houses 20,000 mostly elderly residents in 265 homes, promises that residents will be treated with 'courtesy and dignity'.

But out of 107 reports into its homes published this year, 54 were rated as failing. Bupa Care Services – the second largest private provider with 244 homes – says it has a 'person-centred approach'. Yet 45 of 90 of its homes reported on this year were found to be inadequate or requiring improvement.

The failure rate at HC-ONE, which has 230 homes, was 55 per cent.

Dr Hilda Hayo of the charity Dementia UK said: 'The news that so many care homes are failing in their duty to provide good quality care is disturbing.'

Four Seasons Health Care said if the previous year's figures were included, 64 per cent of its homes were rated as good.

The Care Quality Commission has successfully prosecuted just five care homes in the past two years.

Despite the huge number of homes failing inspections, the vast majority are given repeated warnings.

Some of the worst have been in special measures for more than a year but have been allowed to keep running. If a care home does not meet basic safety requirements, it is given an overall inadequate rating. There are currently 535 across the country.

In the most severe cases, where residents are deemed to be at immediate risk, the CQC can force the homes to shut down and residents are moved out.

Inadequate homes that are not closed are immediately put into special measures, which means they are on warning to improve urgently.

Within six months inspectors will visit again. In the meantime, the CQC can use enforcement powers to make improvements. It can fine providers or stop them taking new residents.

The five homes prosecuted successfully by the CQC in the past two years incurred fines of up to £190,000.

Homes are taken out of special measures only when their overall inadequate rating improves.

If real improvement is not shown, the watchdog can then move to shut the home down.

Of the 916 adult care services that have had a first rating of inadequate, almost a third have shut down.

In some cases the provider will choose to close before being forced to stop running. The CQC would not say how many homes it has actively forced to close.

Over two years 1,605 different types of enforcement action were taken.

...

A spokesman rejected the idea that the CQC verdict of 'requires improvement' meant a home was failing.

A Bupa spokesman said the reports published this year did not reflect the company's overall performance.

Joan Elliott of Bupa Care Services said: 'We're proud of the care our staff provide and that the CQC has rated the majority of our homes as good or outstanding.'

An HC-ONE spokesman said: 'We have worked hard with our teams, from turnaround to transformation, to improve care standards and the quality of life for residents.'

Andrea Sutcliffe, chief inspector of adult social care at the CQC, said: 'While the majority of services are good and we are seeing improvements, we have made it clear that there is too much poor care.

'This has got to change. We are playing our part by driving improvement and holding providers to account to put a stop to poor care.'

On Saturday, Theresa May's former joint chief-of-staff said she must urgently reform social care to avoid defeat to Labour at the next election. Nick Timothy urged the Prime Minister to set up a royal commission. 

SOURCE: MailOnline, Sara Smyth