COOMBE End Court care home in Marlborough has been told it must improve, having been rated inadequate on safety by the Care Quality Commission.

The report published by the government care watchdog this week, gives the home an overall grading of requires improvement, but praised staff.

The commission reveals that before its three inspectors visited in April, they had been informed of incidents of residents abusing each other.

It reads: “Prior to the inspection we were informed of a number of incidents of abuse between residents.

“Accidents and incidents were not always appropriately reported and they were not robustly analysed to prevent a re-occurrence.”

The inspectors gave the care home in London Road a rating of inadequate for the safety of service and noted a safeguarding team from Wiltshire Council were now reviewing these incidents.

Eight residents, five relatives and friends and nine staff were interviewed. Records were reviewed and interaction between residents and staff was observed, during the two-day inspection.

The care home, which has been managed by Elaine Andrews for a year and a half, is run by The Orders of St John Care Trust and provides accommodation for up to 60 people and has a specialist dementia support unit. Responsiveness, effectiveness and whether the service was well-led were all rated as requires improvement by inspectors.

However, staff were praised for the care they give. The report adds: “People were treated with dignity and respect.

“When staff gave assistance the person remained their primary focus. Staff worked calmly and efficiently together without talking over the person. Staff explained and offered reassurances as necessary.

“At other times we saw affectionate warmth between staff and people accompanied by laughter and friendly banter.”

But, care plans were criticised for not giving enough information and staffing levels were found to be low at times.

CQC also said the care home is not meeting five regulations and recommended they look into more training for staff who were looking after those with dementia.

The report adds: “History has shown that this provider has not been able to maintain a consistent level of improvements and has breached regulations over time at this location.”

In a statement The Orders of St John Care Trust said: “We are pleased that this inspection report acknowledges the significant improvements that have been made since the appointment of the new home manager last year.

“We recognise that there is still work to do and will work with the CQC to continue improving the service under the strong leadership of the home manager.

"We are very confident that we will demonstrate quickly that Coombe End Court is deserving of a far more complimentary rating. In the meantime our residents, their families and friends, our colleagues, partner organisations and communities, can be absolutely assured that residents at Coombe End Court are safe and well cared for.”

The full report can be read here: cqc.org.uk/location/1-122145367/reports