SAFETY concerns have been raised at a Dorset care home following an unannounced visit by inspectors.

Steepleton Manor Care Home in Winterbourne Steepleton was inspected by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) last September and a report now published finds it to 'require improvement'.

However, care home bosses at Altogether Care say they do not agree with the rating as the majority of areas were rated as 'good'.

A previous report following an inspection in November 2014 found the home to be 'inadequate' but a follow-up inspection the following July reported improvements had been made and its rating was upgraded to 'requires improvement' in 2015.

Following the latest inspection, the report stated that the 'service was not consistently safe' and 'the risks people faced were not consistently managed to protect them from harm'.

The inspector stated that there was building work being carried during their visit and they observed on several occasions tradespeople entering and leaving the home via a boiler door that was kept open.

The report stated: "There was a risk that people may access this area without staff support."

The inspector also raised concerns about the way one resident was treated at dinner time.

They stated: "At 1.30pm, 30 minutes after being supported into the dining room, one person was told by staff it was lunch time stating "come on time for lunch, time to wake up".

"As the person showed signs of wakefulness the staff member walked away to get a chair to sit on, the person appeared to drift back to sleep.

"The staff member returned and started to support the person with their food but did not tell the person what the food was.

"The person did not appear to be fully awake and on several occasions coughed and turned their head away when more food was offered.

"The persons care records identified a risk of choking if the person was not fully awake when eating their food.

"This put the person at risk of harm."

The report did state that there were enough staff to meet the peoples' needs safely and the inspector had been told by residents that they felt there were always enough staff around.

Another area found to be requiring improvement was the leadership of the service but it was rated as 'good' for being effective, caring and responsive.

The inspector said: "Staff demonstrated a caring and compassionate approach to people living at the home."

Chief executive officer at Altogether Care Stephen Knell confirmed the latest 'requires improvement' rating for Steepleton Manor was being challenged as it was felt the process was "flawed".

He said: "CQC inspections are a frequent event within our organisation and like most businesses we constantly review, refine and improve on what we do.

"Our team of staff work exceptionally hard to provide the best possible care to all of our residents on a daily basis.

"We regularly receive positive feedback from relatives of the residents.

"It is important that the result of such an inspection is put into perspective so that the public and our stakeholders understand that a particular inspection result does not mean a care home is poorly managed or inadequate at providing quality care.

"We take all of our CQC inspections very seriously. Like all businesses we aim to constantly improve what we do and our aim is always to provide the best quality care and be continuously consistent in putting our clients first.

"Regardless of inspection results we always strive to improve on our standards in each and every one of our care homes and domiciliary care offices so we can continue to provide improved quality of life to our residents."