A TROWBRIDGE care home has been slammed by the Care Quality Commission for putting residents’ safety at risk and as a result has been put into special measures.

Ravenscroft Care Home in Hilperton Road was presented with the findings of the inspection last week which found that in areas of safety and leadership, staff were deemed as inadequate.

The report said: “People were not always protected by the prevention and control of infection and whilst there were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection, staff working in the service did not consistently comply with infection control practices.”

Ravenscroft provides accommodation for up to 46 older people and is managed by Adiemus Care Limited, or Larchwood Homes, which is part of a larger national organisation, Orchard Care Homes.

While the overall rating was deemed inadequate, the care home was found that improvements were still required in areas of effectiveness and responsiveness.

During the course of the inspection, which was carried out over three days in September, the CQC added: “Chairs in the communal lounges that were stained and dirty. Skirting boards remained damaged and difficult to clean. Whilst there were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection staff working in the service did not consistently comply with infection control practices.

“The dirty equipment and the communal use of slings meant there was a risk of cross infection between people.”

The report also found that medicines were not always available to residents.

It said: “On one occasion the nurse could not administer a person’s medicine as prescribed because the last tablet had been administered the previous day and new stock had not been ordered or arrived. We spoke with the nurse who said they would order some when they had finished administering the medicines.”

Since the inspection, the CQC have issued enforcements relating to infection control at the care home which they must address within 28 days.

A spokesperson from Larchwood Homes said; “A recent inspection at Ravenscroft Care Home in Trowbridge has rated the home to be inadequate in two of five areas, giving it an overall inadequate rating. We are working with the Care Quality Commission and Wiltshire County Council to address the concerns and to make improvements as quickly as possible.”

If insufficient improvements have been made, the CQC’s enforcing procedures could prevent the provider from operating the service or cancel their registration.