A care home in Darwen has been placed into special measures after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated it as inadequate.

A spokesperson for Sandybrook House, which cares for people living with mental health, physical disabilities, sensory impairments or dementia, said they are “very disappointed” with the outcome for the inspection.

It has failed to improve on the last rating given, in September 2020, when it was rated as requires improvement.

The inspector found issues with medicines, risk, infection control, recruitment, staffing, premises, training, staff support, activities, records and management.

Inspectors found that the service was “not safe” adding that people “were at risk of avoidable harm”.

Those in the home were said to be supported when it comes to eating a healthy balanced diet, the inspector was not assured that people who required thickened fluids, which can be given to patients who are struggling to swallow, were receiving them.

Some people had a crash mat to protect them if they fell out of bed but there was no sensor mat in place.

Inspectors said if anyone were to fall “staff may not be aware for some time. This could be two hours or more.”

The report also criticised the site for not having enough staff, despite the staffing issue being raised internally and externally.

The provider did not have an effective management structure, according to inspectors. The home currently has no registered manager in place but a new manager has reportedly been recruited recently.

The inspection found staff difficult to locate adding that some care home residents were sat in the lounge and staff were not always present.

One person at the care home told inspectors: "I don't think there is enough staff because I have to wait to go the toilet.

“I am here on my own and I need staff to help me. Sometimes I wait ages for my call bell to be answered."

One staff member commented: "I sometimes feel overwhelmed with it all but on the whole I'm ok.

“Some days we only had two staff on. Everyone got really fed up. Hopefully things will change now a new manager is in post. “

Another staff member said: “My number one suggestion is to get more staff. I haven't ever raised this as I didn't feel like I could under the old manager."

Staff said some activities, such as baking on a Sunday, are often not done due to staffing numbers.

Inspectors also highlighted issues with recruitment records adding that there were “some gaps in staff records”.

Issues were also raised in regards to staff training.

Although an induction programme was in place for new starters, staff were said to not always receive support through regular supervision and training was not always up to date

One staff member said: "(I've) not had any training on nutrition or diabetes. I asked the old manager, but nothing ever happened.”

While the home “appeared clean” it was found that multiple infection control practices were not found to be safe.

Inspectors found underwear in a communal bathroom and no soap in the dispenser of the communal toilet.

Inspectors found paint in unlocked rooms and cupboards which could be hazardous.

Medicines were not always safely managed, according to the report, meaning people were placed at risk.

The report said: “Pill counts did not always match records, which meant we were not sure people had always received their medicines as prescribed.”

According to the report, people in the home “were not always well-supported, cared for or treated with dignity and respect”.

However, some of the residents spoken to said staff “treated them well”.

One person said: "I am treated well by the staff. They don't shout and hold my hand sometimes when I need someone just to be with me. I forget things but the staff just remind me and I don't feel silly."

A spokesperson for Sandybrook House said: “Obviously we are very disappointed at the outcome of the CQC inspection at Sandybrook House, following a period of management instability.

“With new management in place and a team of regional supervisors in support, we are addressing those concerns raised by inspectors and working through an action plan to evidence improvements in any areas deemed deficient.

"These improvements are on course and have been shared with contract management teams.”