HEALTH inspectors have called for further improvements at a council-run care home.

But the Care Quality Commission, the UK’s healthcare watchdog, acknowledged that significant improvements had already been made at Whitbourne House.

Inspectors turned up unannounced at the 41-bed Park South care home in September, after receiving concerns about staff shortages, poor leadership and management at the home.

When they visited, they found improvements were already underway.

In their inspection report, the CQC said: “A month prior to our inspection the registered manager had left. The provider implemented chances to address some of the concerns which the management team were working through.

“We found the provider had taken action to improve staffing levels and staff deployment. A staff rota consultation was in progress and staff were already seeing positive impact of the changes.”

Whitbourne House was being redecorated and a wider improvements plan was being worked through, the CQC said.

Residents and relatives told inspectors they felt safe in the home and were treated with respect. One relative said: “The staff know if she’s not having a good day and they spend a bit of extra time with her.” Another said: “The new manager is good and making positive changes.”

However, the CQC said that residents at the home were not always given the chance to take part in the activities that met their needs or preferences. People’s records were not always complete and the home’s assurance systems had not flagged the concerns highlighted by the CQC.

There were some concerns about the pace of change. One staff member told inspectors: “The changes are good, but I think they have been too abrupt. For example, changing the sitting room and dining room…People were used to it and it threw them. But progress is in the right direction, they are positive and it is more homely now. We are human beings after all and we need time to get used to things.”

Overall, Whitbourne House was rated as Requires Improvement, with Good scores in three out of five categories in the report.

Coun Brian Ford, adults’ health chief at Swindon Borough Council, said: “We note the result of the recent inspection of Whitbourne House and we are committed to addressing the concerns highlighted by the CQC.

“We are pleased to have been rated Good in three of the five categories and we have already started to look at ways we can improve in the other two. We now have effective managerial solutions in place and we are confident that staff are working under strong leadership.

“This council always strives to provide quality care for vulnerable people and we will take on board the CQC’s findings to ensure the residents of Whitbourne House are well-looked after.”