A CARE home covered in ‘thick dust’ and ‘food debris’ on the walls has been told it must improve.

Kingfisher Court in North Baddesley was rated 'requires improvement' by the CQC following a three-day inspection in June.

It was previously rated ‘good’ in 2018.

Inspectors found that although people enjoyed living at the home and felt safe, improvements were needed.

At the time of the inspection, the home in Rownhams Lane was caring for 29 people.

On the first day inspectors found a communal bathroom where the bath was not clean, an overhead fan covered in thick dust, and an area with dust and cobwebs.

Dried food debris was found on the walls of the lounge and dining areas where the food trolley was stored at meal times.

Debris was also found in the refuse area.

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One staff member told inspectors the home requires more cleaners as ‘it is big and only the basics are taken care of, no extras’.

Another told them ‘cleanliness has gone down compared to when I started’.

In the report, inspectors state they ‘were not assured’ there was good infection prevention and control practice in the service.

Some areas would benefit from deep cleaning while others were in ‘poor states of repair’.

Inspectors noted improvements were needed for medicines as risks were not being appropriately assessed and there was not enough information to support people.

But inspectors praised the attitude of staff members, who said they felt supported by management, enjoyed working at the service, and felt staff morale was positive.

Inspectors said: “Staff we spoke with were enthusiastic about their jobs and showed care and understanding for the people they supported.”

It was also found that those living in the home were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives.

‘Staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests,’ inspectors said.

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Speaking on the report, a spokesperson for Kingfisher Court said action has already been taken to improve.

They said: “Our main priority is providing people with a safe, relaxed and comfortable environment where they are encouraged to become active and valued members of both their home and community.

“We are pleased we are rated good in three of the five assessed areas, and to receive very positive feedback from the healthcare professionals we work with.

“However, we are disappointed with the overall grade and acknowledge there is work to do.

“In the short time since the inspection took place, we have taken swift action to create and implement a comprehensive action plan that responds to the CQC’s recommendations."

They added: “The home has a relatively new manager and we are supporting them to embed and make sustainable improvements.

“We are confident the home team will quickly get to the standard expected so that the people we support have a consistently positive experience living with us.

“We continue to work closely with the CQC to ensure we provide the safest and best possible support and we look forward to CQC inspectors revisiting our home.”