A SWINDON care home has been ordered to improve after a recent inspection found it falling well short of standards.

The White Lodge, at Braydon, which provides accommodation and care for up to 80 people, was told it ‘requires improvement’ by inspectors after a two day visit in June.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent body that regulates care quality, found an inadequate number of staff on duty, incorrect information on patient’s care plans and a tendency to leave residents alone and isolated.

The main issue was a shortage of staff, with inspectors saying: “People using the service, their relatives and staff, did not always feel there were enough staff available to meet the needs of people using the service.

One employee admitted: "It can be very stressful as there are minimal staff numbers. We do our best but there is no time to spend with residents. We do the bare minimum.”

Another issue was the lack of stimulating activities on offer for residents. Inspectors noted: “There was a general activity programme in place. However, there were not enough meaningful activities for people to access in groups or as individuals to avoid social isolation.”

There were also concerns with the difference between the quality of care offered during the day and at night, with most people speaking more favourably about care received during the day.

One resident said: "The night staff are not very kind to me, they rush my personal care needs and do not seem to want to talk to me."

Another said: "They [staff] are always less friendly on a morning and are in more of a rush to get me washed and ready for breakfast. I do feel safe at times but I'm not sure I want to be here at 11pm with staff shouting at me.”

There were some positives. People's medicines were managed and administered safely and bedrooms, bathrooms and communal areas were clean, tidy and free from odours.

One resident said: "It's all good here. I can't fault the carers."

A spokesman from White Lodge said: “We take the findings of the Care Quality Commission very seriously and we recognise that changes need to be made in some aspects of the hospital as the report identified.

“We have implemented a comprehensive plan clearly outlining the steps being taken to ensure these improvements in our services continue to be achieved. We are also keen to build on the positive aspects highlighted in the report including the care and dignity shown to residents, the quality and variety of food on offer and the training received by staff.

“Our focus is on delivering and embedding improvements within White Lodge so that we deliver high quality care now and in the future. Our patients and their families are our priority and we appreciate their support.”