A MELKSHAM care home says it is trying its best to improve after three inspections by Care Quality Commission has found it is putting residents at risk.

Alpine Villa Residential Care Home has come under fire by the government care watchdog after repeatedly failing to meet essential standards and has been told it must make changes.

The home in Lowbourne is privately owned by Luzuisminda Mercer and run by her daughter Lorraine Mercer. It looks after people who suffer from dementia and mental health conditions and is registered to provide 15 beds. 

In November 2013, CQC found the care home was not complying with six standards. It arranged another visit last March to review the progress and paid an unannounced visit over three days in July and August.

A report has just been published outlining the findings from that visit, after the CQC faced a legal challenge restricting it from doing so.

Two inspectors looked at the care and welfare of residents, safety and suitability of the premises and management of medicines and five other standards, all of which the care home failed to meet.

They found care plans were not being followed or were inconsistent and lacking details; posing risks to wellbeing of residents.

They also found some areas had improved since their previous visit but new issues were also identified. 

They added: "Issues which required immediate attention during this inspection such as excessive hot water from a hand wash basin, the renewal of the home’s insurance cover and a rat in the garden were not addressed in a timely manner."

Since November 2014 the care home has had restrictions on taking new residents. CQC also informed Wiltshire Council in October that they were issuing a notification of proposal to impose conditions on the registration of the care home following their concerns.

A spokesman from the health watchdog said more will be published regarding the care home in the coming months.

Deputy manager at the care home Melanie Almonaras added: "We are compiling an action plan and we are doing our best. We are waiting for CQC to comeback to review our progress and see the changes and improvements we are doing."

The full report can be found at: cqc.org.uk/location/1-115482099/reports