EASTBOURNE Care Home, in Darlington, has been assessed as failing to meet three out of five key performance areas.

In response, Four Seasons Health Care, which runs the home, in Cobden Street, sent The Northern Echo a lengthy statement.

For reasons of brevity, it was not possible to use the entire statement in our story.

The full statement said: "The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection found that people are treated with respect and dignity. They are kept safe and their health and welfare needs are met by staff who are appropriately qualified and are physically and mentally able to do their job.

"The inspectors concluded that there are enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff on duty to meet people's needs. This is despite some people telling the inspectors they thought there should be more staff.

"The majority of people who used the service told the inspectors that they were happy with the care they received and felt their needs had been met.

"The home had proper policies and procedures in relation to the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and the majority of staff had received training in these provisions along with the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and they had an understanding of the actions they needed to take to protect people's rights.

"However, we regret that there were shortcomings in aspects of care plans and in completing other documentation and records.

"The peripatetic (acting) manager with support of senior management is overseeing an improvement plan that has been agreed with the CQC. We have instigated a programme of additional training for staff to ensure that our policies and procedures are properly followed. A new home manager has been recruited and will take up post mid-October.

"During the CQC inspection in August, concerns came to light about a few staff who felt they were not being well supported by some of their colleagues. An internal investigation is taking place into this complaint and it would be inappropriate to comment ahead of its outcome. The company has in place an active whistle-blowing policy that encourages residents, relatives and staff to make management aware of any concerns they may have and these are always acted on, so it is disappointing that a few staff chose to raise these concerns with the CQC rather than notifying the manager or regional manager. There is also a confidential whistle-blowing line that they could have used if they were reluctant to speak to the manager."