A CULCHETH nursing home has been ordered to improve by the Care Quality Commission despite being rated 'good' in 2016.

Radcliffe Meadows Nursing Home, run by Warrington Community Living, provides accommodation and nursing care for up to 12 adults who have a learning or physical disabilities and/or mental health needs.

At the time of the inspection in March, 11 adults were being looked after at the facility on Twiss Green Lane.

Patients told inspectors that they liked living in Radcliffe Meadows and a lot of people had lived there many years.

They were complimentary about the staff who cared for them and relatives commented that they were satisfied with the care their loved ones received.

However, inspectors found some areas of concern.

They stated: "Improvements are needed to the environment, which have proved difficult to implement by the provider. In part due to a contract on the property and the materials used in the original construction of the building.

"While there were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs, there was a high dependency on agency staff."

The report stated that this could mean people are 'unfamiliar' with the staff working with them and 'improvements were needed to recruit permanent staff since agency staff were not always appropriately trained in fire evacuation procedures, which could put themselves and others at risk'.

Inspectors also found ineffective systems were in place for people to raise complaints and concerns and for the service to consult people living in the home, family and stakeholders, including staff.

The CQC’s report said: "Risks were identified and managed to minimise harm, while medicines were managed safely by trained staff in the home.

"However, there was insufficient overview and effective monitoring of the service.

"The home complied with the principals of Mental Capacity Act 2005 and measures were in place to ensure consent to care and treatment.

"People were well cared for by staff who treated them with respect and dignity."