A DORCHESTER care home says it has worked hard to make improvements after it was slammed in a CQC inspection.

Whitway House in Winterbourne Steepleton, was told by the CQC it 'requires improvement' in all five inspection areas.

These are: is the service safe?, is the service effective? Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service well led.

The home, run by Farrington Care Homes Limited, provides care for up to 39 people. The inspectors made an unannounced visit on December 14 and 15, 2015. The report was not published until recently.

The report stated the ‘systems and procedures for handling medicines were not safe and improvements were required,’ adding that ‘care records were not always accurate and reliable’ and that ‘people’s care records were not kept in a safe and confidential manner.’ The report said: “During the inspection we noted people’s personal records were left unattended in communal areas.”

The report also said people were not consistently supported to eat efficiently and safely.’

The inspectors also found ‘a number of breaches of the health and Social Care Act 2008.’

In a statement to the Echo, the home said: “We have now had six months prior to the publication of the report to implement the required improvements which are successful.

“We wish to reassure the families of our residents that the Home is compliant with the CQC guidelines.

“We will continue to deliver on our strengths highlighted in the report and maintain a high standard of care.”

Director of Farrington Care Homes Limited, Kiran Nathwani said that they were ‘very proud’ of Whitway House, that it was a ‘wonderful place’ and the feedback from families who had relatives there was ‘good.’

He added that all the outcomes highlighted in the report had been completed and all the training done.

Mr Nathwani said: “We are constantly investing in the home. We have had it for a number of years now, we are very proud of it and hopefully it will get better and better. We have a good manager leading the team.”

He added: “At Whitway I feel we have a very good home and hopefully the next report should reflect that.”