A CARE home in Herefordshire has been told it needs to improve after inspectors raised concerns about infection control and how it handled medication.

Rosedale Retirement Home, in Ross-on-Wye, was subject of an unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission after concerns were raised about the health and safety of the 18 people living there.

In a report of their July 28 inspection, the CQC said that the home, in Ashfield Crescent, was not always safe and not always well-led, grading the home as 'requires improvement' in these categories, with the same rating overall.

It did, however, grade Rosedale as 'good' in being effective, caring and responsive.

On the issue of safety, the report said that medicines were not always managed safely and accurately recorded, placing people at risk of their health care needs not being met.

The report also said there were no assurances the provider was using personal protective equipment (PPE) effectively and safely, with staff were not always wearing PPE correctly.

It said: "We saw, staff wearing masks below their noses. The acting manager was talking to the staff members but did not prompt them to cover their noses until the inspectors pointed this out to them.

"A staff member had long painted nails and was wearing jewellery against infection control guidelines, putting people at risk of cross contamination."

The report also said that people reported staff were kind and treated them well. Although staff reported they felt there were not always enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs especially on weekends.

Staff had understood how to safeguard people. They were confident about reporting any concerns both inside and outside of the organisation.

Craig Smith, the new home manager, said: "We are working very closely with our stakeholders to produce a robust action plan for the benefit of the residents.

"A lot of work has been going into the home."

Lorraine Davies, whose father Bryan Yates lives at Rosedale, said she felt the report was quite harsh.

She said: "Since the new manager has come in changes have been made for the better.

"You can see every time you come that improvements are being made to the facilities."