A CARE home is making improvements after being rated ‘inadequate’ in an inspection last year.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) paid an unannounced visit to Highcliffe Nursing Home in February this year and in a report published on April 19 said: “We found that significant changes had been made.”

The home, which was put into special measures after last year’s report, was regraded as ‘requires improvement’ with inspectors identifying several areas where the service was still unsatisfactory.

Interim manager, Tracey Millar, said: “We have been working very hard on improving our service and the feedback we have received from residents’ families is very positive and encouraging.”

Terry Bailey, a development director for Kingsley Healthcare, which runs the home, said he was confident it was now on course to achieve “excellent care in a caring environment”.

“All the staff are committed to delivering a service to residents that meets their care needs in a homely environment in collaboration with relatives, advocates and those who relate to us professionally in service delivery,” he said.

The company is also planning a £1.9 million redevelopment which would bring 16 extra rooms on two floors with en-suite facilities, additional lounges, hairdressing facilities and a new reception area with disabled access.

Last year’s CQC report, published in August, revealed that a frail resident with a suspected broken hip after a fall had been left in agony for more than 13 hours before being taken to hospital, while another with a pressure ulcer had requested painkillers but had been refused by staff.

Then, inspectors said the home was understaffed and had insufficient equipment, and concerns were raised over staff qualifications.

The latest report gave the home a ‘good’ rating in the ‘caring’ category, saying staff “had a good knowledge of the people they were supporting” and were “approachable, kind and patient”.

It also noted a “professional but relaxed relationship between the manager and staff team” and said the relatives of residents and staff had told inspectors they viewed the home as “well managed”.