A CARE home in Prestwich has been put in "special measures" after a damning inspection.

Fernica Residential Care Home on Kings Road has been rated "inadequate" by healthcare regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), after inspection visits on January 25 and February 8 this year.

Both the safety and leadership ratings were said to be “inadequate” while the responsiveness of the service “requires improvement”.

However, the care and effectiveness of the service were rated “good”.

The report found that the provider and registered manager did not always understand or meet the relevant legal requirements and obligations associated with registration.

The home had also not complied with the national guidance on Covid-19 infection prevention and control measure put in place for care homes.

On the first day of the inspection, it was found that staff did not wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

On the second day, staff wore PPE appropriately.

But information was received from the local authority that on a visit they made after the inspection, none of the staff had been wearing PPE, specifically masks.

The report said: "The overall rating for this service is 'inadequate' and the service is therefore in 'special measures'.

"We have identified breaches in relation to safe care and treatment, staffing, good governance, notification of incidents, and fit and proper persons employed at this inspection

“The home did not have sufficient or robust staffing arrangements to prevent staff working excessive hours and to meet people's needs to access the community.

“The provider did not meet the recommendation from our last inspection to implement a business improvement plan to record ongoing and sustained improvement.

The provider had failed to submit statutory notifications for two incidents.”

At the time of the inspection, the service was providing care for 10 people.

Although these were the main concerns the report did note positive things within the home noting that staff showed a strong commitment to keep people safe and well.

They also added: “Staff administered medicines safely. Staff completed risk assessments and developed care plans to support people with their individual care needs.

"Staff recognised people's changing needs due to their health conditions, old age or frailty and took steps to address them.

“People looked well. They received the healthcare they needed from other professionals such as GPs and psychiatric nurses. The service prompted people to attend to their personal care needs and supported them when required.

“Staff received the appropriate training and supervision to help them support people effectively. People and their friends and relatives gave mostly positive feedback about the service. They described staff as caring and attentive.

“We observed good interactions between staff and people. Staff knew people well and responded to their individual needs, preferences and choices.

"The service met the cultural needs of people. For example, staff supported people to practice their faith, access culturally appropriate activities and eat appropriate food.”

Fernica will be inspected again within the next six months to check for significant improvements.

If these improvements fail to be met, the home may be prevented from operating.

In response to the report, a Fernica spokesman added: “We are working towards the standard that they have put us in.”