INSPECTORS raised concerns over fire safety, monitoring systems and the privacy of elderly residents at a Kidderminster care home.

A report published by the Care Quality Commission on Friday January 4 rated Nightingales Residential Home at Wolverley Court on Wolverley Road as 'requires improvement', following an unannounced inspection in November.

The home, which accommodates up to 23 older people with some living with dementia, previously received a ‘good’ rating after a 2016 inspection.

The latest report however found that there were “potential breaches in fire safety” from the poor maintenance of fire doors, and that residents did not always receive effective and safe support with their medicines.

Care plans of residents did not contain “accurate and up to date assessments,” with the report finding that one person’s mobility had changed “significantly,” but was not assessed or recorded.

Physical, mental health and social needs of residents were also found to be not “recorded in line with best practice,” and people were not assessed regarding their capacity to make decisions like agreeing to medicines.

The report said: “People were not always supported to have choice and control over their lives and the policies and systems did not promote effective practice.”

Privacy was also a key concern, as inspectors "did not see any instances" when permission was asked by staff members to enter the rooms of residents.

The report said: “We were talking with people in their room when a member of the management team, and a maintenance person, walked in and said, "We are just checking the fire door."

“There was no consideration towards the privacy of those residing there or the fact that they had visitors.”

Leadership and management of the care home was also found to be “inconsistent.”

Inspectors highlighted positive elements including the “effective infection prevention and control systems in place," as well as the protection of residents from “risk of ill-treatment and abuse,” as staff members received relevant training.

The report said: “People received help and support from a kind and compassionate staff team with whom they had positive relationships with.”

Residents had access to healthcare services when needed and lived in a physical environment that was “accessible and suitable to their individual needs.”

The home also had good links with the local community which residents were found to benefit from.

Care home manager Mrs Suzanne Marie Handley said: “We will learn from it and we can only go up from here.

“We have been green for 12 years, and the criteria seems to be getting harder and harder.

“We will be in the green again.”