A NORTHWICH care home has been told it must improve following its first Care Quality Commission report.

Lostock Lodge, in Lostock Gralam, was inspected in June and CQC found concerns with safety, effectiveness, responsiveness and management.

The home, which opened in January 2017, was rated ‘requires improvement’ in four out of five key areas but in terms of caring for its residents the service was deemed to be ‘good’.

In the report, the CQC inspector stated: “The service was not completely safe. Support had not always been provided in a safe manner which had placed people at risk of harm.

“Not all staff had been provided with the training, skills and knowledge they required in order to provide safe and effective care.

“People said that the staff were kind, considerate and looked after them very well. Staff were observed to deliver support whilst promoting a person's dignity, privacy and independence.

“People had support in line with their preferences and wishes. They told us staff responded to their changing needs.

“Some improvements were needed to records in order to reflect this and to ensure people had the support required.

“The service was not always well led. The registered provider had failed to ensure that staff had the training they required in a timely way. Not all of the learning from safeguarding matters had been resolved.”

Lostock Lodge is a 66-bed facility and offers accommodation and personal care to adults with a physical disability of those living with dementia.

It also offers respite care for individuals who need a break away from home, are uncertain about moving into a care home permanently, or require hospital treatment.

A spokesman for Country Court Care, Lostock Lodge care provider, said: "We are extremely disappointed that the CQC has published this report, despite the fact that the outcome and contents are still being debated by our lawyers.

"Whilst it is clear from the feedback of all the residents of Lostock Lodge that it is a fantastic place to live, we acknowledge, as we do with all Care Homes, there are areas for improvement.

"We strive to improve and have already appointed a new home manager, Paul Bowman, who is working tirelessly to make continual improvements in the service.

"We are also investing heavily in our staff training to ensure that all of our staff are equipped with the skills required to deliver the high standard of care that Country Court Care expect.

"We continue to work closely with the CQC and the local authority to ensure that everyone is fully informed of our plans."

Paul Bowman, home manager, added: "“I was delighted to join Lostock Lodge, and become part of the wonderful team already in place at the home.

"I’ve got exciting plans to improve the provision of care, and offer a service which will be considered the best in the area.

“I am already looking forward to the next CQC inspection, which I’m confident will be exemplary.”