A COCKERMOUTH care home has received a ‘requires improvement’ after a recent health watchdog inspection.

Holmewood Residential Care Home, on Lamplugh Road in Cockermouth, which provides personal care for up to 26 people, was inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on October 20.

The CQC undertook the unannounced inspection after they received concerns over 'poor health and safety standards and staffing levels' at the assisted living facility.

Since the inspection however, a new administrator has since been appointed to the running of the premise.

The report reflects site visits held before Kroll took over on November 9. 

The report found that care home was 'inadequate' in its offering of the service being safe, and whether or not it was well-led received a 'requires improvement' rating. 

At a previous inspection in January 2021, both of these categories were rated 'good'. 

In terms of the service being safe, the report reads: "People were at risk of harm because of widespread shortfalls in safety across the service.

"Staff had not always received the appropriate training or had their competence assessed prior to providing people with specialist care tasks.

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"There were not always enough staff available to provide people with safe and timely support.

"Systems were not always in place to ensure people received their medicines safely and as prescribed." 

However, the report praised the service for creating an environment in which residents were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and that the service supported people in minimising the risk of infection. 

A spokesperson at Kroll said: “Resident care remains our highest priority and staffing levels are appropriate for residents.

"Since the joint administrators from Kroll were appointed for Holmewood Residential Care Home in November, we have ensured continued and comprehensive care for all its residents including the contracting of specialist clinical care operators to best serve Holmewood’s residents, staff and operations," they said. 

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