A report following a recent inspection of Ashfield Care Home, owned by South West Care Homes Limited, has rated the service as 'inadequate'.

This means that the care home, which caters for people affected by 'dementia and physical frailty', is now in 'special measures' with 'significant improvements' required to prevent closure.

The inspection is based on five main criteria, and of these Ashfield received 'inadequate' for three and 'requires improvement' for the remaining two.

The findings identified six breaches in relation to: "Safeguarding, falls, continence and pressure care management, staffing deployment and management, premises (health and safety and maintenance) and lack of dementia care adaptations, person centred care and communication needs, notifications and overall governance."

The report found that "people with complex needs, such as those who are partially sighted, lived with mental health issues or dementia did not always have their needs effectively managed."

"Infection control and maintenance was not well managed. There were odorous areas and furniture due to poor continence management," was another area for concern.

The report also noted that 'following a fall of a resident a GP had not been called.' When asked: "the team leader said they had forgotten as they had been so busy."

With the home now under review, 'the local authority is involved with closely monitoring people and procedures along with community nurses who will pay regular visits to the home.'

Exmouth Nub News contacted Alan Beale, Managing Director of South West Care Homes Limited, he said: "Our June CQC inspection highlighted that the management of Ashfield wasn't as good as it should be and so Ashfield wasn't reaching its usual high standards; the home was therefore moved into special measures.

"In the weeks since the inspection we have replaced the senior management and the new team are making rapid improvements, with many positive changes already implemented.

"We will continue making further improvements and expect to successfully exit special measures in a few months' time.

"We have apologised to our residents and their families for this temporary drop in standards, and where appropriate we are consulting on the changes to ensure our residents wishes are reflected and are grateful for their continued support."

To read the full report, click the red button below.