A CARE home previously rated as good has been put in special measures after inspectors found it inadequate after an unannounced visit.

Eccleston Court Care Home on Holme Road, failed to impress inspectors of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in all areas and was found inadequate in safety, caring, responsiveness and leadership.

Effectiveness was found to be requiring improvement.

The agency cares for more than 50 people with physical health needs or living with dementia and consists of two units.

The report states that “People within the service were not always safe. It was standard practice for sluice rooms in one unit to be left unlocked which placed people at risk of harm through coming into contact with hazardous materials.

“Fluid thickener was kept unsecured in people’s bedrooms, which can pose a risk of death if ingested inappropriately.

“An oven was being used to cook people’s food in a communal area, and adequate action had not been taken to address the risks around this following a ‘near miss’ incident.

“People were not always treated with dignity and respect and we observed examples where people living with a sensory impairment were treated in an undignified manner.

“People’s family members did not always feel welcome within the service, and some of them commented that they felt there may be reprisals from making a complaint.”

It also added that staff did not have up-to-date training, care records were not always up to dare and people’s confidentiality was not protected.

Richard Whitby, Interim Director of Older People’s Services at Community Integrated Care who represent the care home, said: “We are dedicated to delivering safe, well-led, quality services.

“When CQC identified concerns at Eccleston Court, we took immediate action, developing a robust plan to resolve all issues.

“An experienced service manager has been appointed to lead the service, and together with our regional management and quality teams, we are now working in close partnership with CQC, giving the service focused support in all necessary areas.

“We would like to apologise to the people we support and their loved ones for the outcome of this inspection and assure them of our commitment to restoring to the service to the high standards we set for ourselves.”