A HEREFORD care home which has been told to improve by inspectors says it is doing its best.

Aston House, in Hampton Park Road, was taken over by new owners five months before the Care Quality Commission inspectors visited on October 12.

They said they went to the home, which cares for up to 16 people with mental health support needs, due to concerns about staffing levels and management.

Inspectors rated the service in five categories, rating it 'good' for being caring and responsive, but saying it 'requires improvement' in the safe, effective, and well-led categories.

The report said the home needed urgent repairs, with a leaking roof causing damp stains to the walls and ceiling.

But owner Phil Allsop, who lives in Tupsley, said repairs were due to start today (Monday), with work expected to cost within the region of £15,000.

He said the building had suffered from a lack of investment before his takeover.

Once the leaking, which he said was caused by "botch job after botch job", had been stopped, the rooms and hallways affected by damp would be redecorated.

Mr Allsop said that other rooms not affected by damp had already been redecorated, with new carpets and mattresses.

Other improvements he said he was trying to make included having three members of staff on duty during the day.

This, he said, would increase the amount of activities available to residents – with a trip to the Christmas market in Cardiff on the cards before Christmas.

On top of a new registered manager starting in January, Mr Allsop – who worked in IT up until buying the home – also said they were bringing documentation up to standard.

Instead of all records being printed and on paper, he was moving the home to having electronic records.

He also praised the staff for their work since he took over, and said they were responding positively to the changes he was making.

This includes making sure staff training was up-to-date, which should be completed over the coming months.

"I encourage training," he said.

"If it's to the benefit of staff and business, I actively encourage it."

While he admitted taking over Aston House had been a "huge learning curve", he was passionate about turning its fortunes around.

Inspectors said people had confidence they were safe living at the home and that staff had received appropriate training, including in safeguarding, while medicines were stored and administered safely.

"People and their relatives told us staff had the right knowledge and skills to care and support them," the report said.

"However, many of the staff were due their refresher training. The provider had already identified this shortfall and was in the process of identifying a new training provider."

Food served at the home was described by residents as good, and hobbies and interests supported, while staff were described as kind and observed to be caring and friendly.

Food, Mr Allsop said, was one of the areas which they had already improved. By shopping more efficiently, they were able to offer a better range of choices.