HEALTHCARE watchdogs have ordered improvements at a care home in Winwick following an inspection.

St Oswald’s House Care Home has been told to improve by the Care Quality Commission after a visit from inspectors in January.

The CQC found that care provided at the Golborne Road home was not always effective or well-led, while two breaches of health regulations had been committed.

No registered manager was in post at the time of inspection, while mental capacity assessments had only been completed for one of 35 residents living in the home – meaning that staff could not determine whether they had the capacity to make decisions about their wellbeing.

Inspectors had worries over the level of staff training, with only 33 per cent having completed courses on deprivation of liberty while 38 per cent had the relevant qualifications for dementia awareness in a home that provides care for people living with the condition.

Complaints had been made by residents and their family members regarding missing and soiled laundry, the standard of personal care provided and the positioning of security lights, but inspectors found that these had been ‘listened to, acknowledged and acted upon’.

Concerns had previously been raised over the length of time staff had taken to respond to call bells, something that the home was monitoring, while Warrington Borough Council had expressed worries regarding the supervision of staff.

But inspectors did find that care at St Oswald’s, a Victorian building that has been in use as a home since 1987, was safe, caring and responsive.

A report on the inspection said: “During our inspection we spent time talking with people and undertaking observations within the home.

“We noted that people received care and support in a timely manner which was also responsive to their individual needs.

“We noted that staff were attentive to people and communicated and engaged with them in a kind, caring and compassionate manner.

“We also saw that people were encouraged to maintain their independence and to follow their preferred routines and lifestyle.”

The CQC’s inspection was the first since Brighter Kind became the registered care provider at St Oswald’s – the company has not responded to requests for comment from the Warrington Guardian.