A DORSET care home has been told it needs improvement.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission found that St Martin’s Grange, of Fernbrook Lane in Gillingham, which can have up to 75 residents, was providing a service which was ‘not always safe’.

The report said: “People's identified risks were not consistently managed,” and that the service ‘was not always effective although improvements had been made to the environment to support people living with dementia.'

“We observed that people looked well cared for, had access to food and drink and staff responded to meet their needs,” said the inspector. “However, we also observed that staff were very busy at times and had limited time to spend with people before responding to another person's needs.”

They noted that: “People were supported by staff that had the necessary skills and knowledge to meet their assessed needs, preferences, choices and respect their rights. Staff were knowledgeable about the support needs of the people they cared for.”

Inspectors also found, however, that the service was not responsive enough or well-led although it rated as ‘Good’ for caring. “People received care that was compassionate and kind,” said the report. “Staff communicated with people in a friendly and warm manner and people were treated with dignity and respect by all staff and their privacy was protected.”