A DAMNING report released by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has revealed that residents at a Wirral care home were said to be "not safe and at risk of avoidable harm".

Anchorage Nursing Home, on Queens Road in Hoylake, was placed into special measures after the CQC inspected the home on March 29 and 31 and rated it inadequate.

Due to this, a re-inspection was carried out on October 19 and 24 to follow up on action the CQC told the care provider to take at the last inspection.

The report, published on Tuesday, December 12, confirmed that "sufficient improvements had not been made and the provider was still in breach of regulations".

At the time of the latest inspection 23 people were living at the home, some of whom lived with dementia.

The subsequent report highlights that in three of the four key areas the home was rated "inadequate" while it "requires improvement" in the fifth.

The report said: "Access to the home was not always secure, as a fire exit had been left open, giving members of the public direct access to the home.

"We observed a wardrobe that was not securely fixed to the wall, fire doors that did not close securely in their rebates, bed rails propped up against bedroom walls and a sensor mat that was not working."

It continued to say "there was a strong malodour evident in one person's bedroom" and "the kitchen was visually very dirty".

Family members' feedback also highlighted short staffing at the home and how residents were often left on their own. 

The home was also criticised for the food it served, not having a regular chef and having only one wheelchair accessible communal bathroom.

How did the care home respond?

Bernie Suresparan, Chief Executive Officer at We Care Group said: "When We Care Group took ownership of The Anchorage Nursing Home in April 2022, we knew there was a lot of investment needed to develop and improve the home and raise standards of care to those high standards expected within our homes and well as a focus needed on recruitment to ensure stability and continuity of care.

"At the time of the inspection in April 2023 we were already working on making the improvements identified in the report and were confident that at the next inspection the home would have made sufficient progress to move it from inadequate to requires improvement, we are saddened and disappointed that this has not been the case.

"We would like to reassure residents, relatives and the wider community that, having made significant financial investment into the home, we remain committed to bringing the home up to the required standard expected by the Care Quality Commission and the We Care Group.

"A new manager has recently started in the home and under his leadership we will ensure that all staff, particularly those newly recruited, are competent in their roles and have the necessary skills, training and support that puts the health, safety and well-being of all our residents at the heart of everything we do to ensure they live life to the fullest."

To read the report, click here.