A WINSFORD care home has already taken action to better its standards after being rated as 'requires improvement' by the care watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected Overdene House Care Home in August before publishing its report on October 11.

While the John Street care home, which is run by HC-One, was rated 'good' in the caring and responsive categories, it must improve on its safety, effectiveness and leadership.

But in the report the home's management team was praised for its openness and honesty regarding issues to be addressed, while inspectors received positive feedback from its residents and their relatives.

A spokeswoman for Overdene House, which provides care for up to 70 people, said: "The comfort and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority, and we always value feedback from the CQC.

"We were therefore disappointed to have received a rating of ‘requires improvement’ at our latest inspection, and have already taken action to address the specific recommendations in the report.

"The CQC’s report praised the positive changes we had already made at the home prior to their visit – including to our enhanced colleague training offer and inclusive care planning.

"As the CQC acknowledged, these changes take time to fully embed, and we are fully committed to this, working in conjunction with the CQC and our local authority partners.

"The feedback of our residents and their loved ones matters greatly to us, and so we were pleased to read the positive feedback they gave to the CQC’s inspection team, including describing our care team as 'really kind' and saying, 'they respect my wishes' and 'it’s an excellent place'."

The report stated: "Risks to people were not always fully assessed or managed robustly.

"While some assessment and management plans were in place, records did not fully demonstrate staff had taken sufficient action to assess and mitigate all risks to people.

"Systems and processes to maintain oversight of the quality and safety of care were not effective.

"Improvements were required to ensure any concerns about people were appropriately identified and reported or reviewed, and that all staff had received appropriate training and supervision. Records were not always complete and accurate.

"The management team were open and honest about areas being addressed and acknowledged they were on a journey to develop and improve the service.

"There was a home improvement plan in place. Some shortfalls in relation to staff training, had been identified prior to our inspection, and some specific training was in progress."

The full report can be found on the CQC's website here.