CONCERNS have been raised about staffing levels at a care home told to improve.

Care Quality Commission inspectors voiced the fears following an inspection last month of Woodlands Home for Older People in Clayton-le-Moors.

Giving the home a 'requires improvement' rating, watchdogs said residents and relatives have told them they are particularly concerned about staff numbers at night.

In a report, watchdogs said people told them that staffing levels did not always meet their needs in a timely way.

One person said: "At night, there are not enough staff. A long wait is usual. I've also had to wait in the day when the staff have been dealing with everyone else."

Another person said: "It's a waiting game. The staffing levels cannot allow for meaningful personal choices."

A relative added: "At night, there seems to be long waits and toileting accidents."

CQC inspectors have now recommended the care home review its staffing levels to ensure people's needs were met in a timely way.

They added: "We checked the staff rota and noted the level of staffing was consistent across the week. "We noted the number of staff on duty during the night was usually two care assistants and one senior care assistant for 49 people.

"This meant if more than one person, who required the support of two staff, needed help, they would

have to wait for assistance.

"The registered manager confirmed 17 people needed two members of staff to meet their needs."

Watchdogs said that following the inspection, the registered manager sent them an action plan which stated the head of service was reviewing the staffing levels.

The Warwick Avenue Home was rated as 'requires improvement' for its safety, effectiveness and leadership but given a 'good' rating for its care and responsiveness.

The 'requires improvement' rating is down from its 'good' rating in its previous inspection in 2016.

However inspectors praised the home and said that staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect.

Watchdogs said staff also spent time getting to know residents and their specific needs and wishes.