A BEN Rhydding care home has been told it requires improvement despite inspectors finding residents were very happy living in the facility which they found to be clean, effective and caring.

Kirkwood Care Home in Moorfield Road, which is run by The Franklyn Group Limited, received an unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission on March 8 and a report was published on June 27.

The service, which provide accommodation for adults over 65 who require nursing or personal care, was rated good for its effectiveness, caring and responsiveness however, was told it requires improvement in the areas of safety and leadership and given an overall rating of requires improvement.

The inspection report says: "People who used the service told us they felt safe at Kirkwood Care Home and we found staff understood the safeguarding process. People who used the service were receiving personalised care and were very happy at the home. They told us staff were kind, caring and compassionate. People's healthcare needs were being met and healthcare professions spoke highly about the care and support people received."

However, inspectors found that although medicines were being safely managed, prescribed topical lotions and creams were not being stored safely and no records were kept to show they were being administered as prescribed. They also found action was not always taken to mitigate risks within the service in relation to the premises and following accidents or incidents. Two breaches of the Health and Social Care Act were identified.

The Care Quality Commission has now asked the provider to send a report that says what action they are going to take and the health and social care watchdog will check that this action is taken.

A spokesperson for the home said: “While we welcome the very many positive comments in the report from both the inspectors and our residents, we are extremely disappointed with the overall rating and have referred this to a third party for a further opinion.

“We have been open and transparent with residents, their relatives and other organisations we work with and shared the report and its findings. The support for the home has been overwhelming and we are completely confident that it is a safe, kind and caring environment and the inspectors’ rating is not a true reflection of the home.”