A NEW manager has been appointed at a care home where leadership was described as poor in an inspection report.

Inspectors reported the adult care home, Wellburn House on Wellburn Road, Fairfield, Stockton, "requires improvement".

When it came to the question of whether the home was well-led, inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said it was "inadequate".

Inspectors visited the home in July and residents told them they felt safe and that staff were caring. However, they went on to outline problems with staffing levels, cleanliness and the administration of medicines.

The report said: "We saw staffing numbers at the service was not always provided at the level of their own dependency tool, although people did not raise any concerns over staffing levels and staff provided prompt attention to people on the day of our visit.

"There were issues with cleanliness and maintenance of the service in certain areas, mainly toilets and bathrooms. There were concerns around how staff managed the medicines. The service used a multi-dose system where the pharmacy provided a photograph of each medicine in the pot. Some photographs did not match which medicines were dispensed into the pot.

"Staff did not have an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act of 2005 and were unsure of their responsibilities...There was not a regular programme of staff supervision or appraisal, although the management team said these had now begun to take place...However the manager was not taking appropriate action to ensure staff received adequate supervision and when concerns arose such as complaints that staff were sleeping on duty or staff behaviour was not in line with expected practice this was not investigated...Care plans were slightly confusing."

The CQC report rated the home good for being caring, but as 'requires improvement' for being effective, being safe and being responsive.

A spokeswoman for the home said: “We take all feedback very seriously and already have a thorough action plan in place to address matters raised in the CQC report.

“We note the positives that residents told inspectors they were well cared for, staff were pleasant and helpful and they were treated with dignity and respect.

“Senior managers had already identified areas for improvement and have a strong presence in the home to make sustainable improvements and deliver high-quality training for all members of staff. A new, highly-experienced manager has been recruited.

“We are confident that the home is a safe and caring environment for the residents and that the actions that were immediately put in place will satisfy the CQC on a return inspection.”

The home is one of the Newcastle-based Akari Care Ltd group, which has 30 care homes across the north of England.