MANAGERS of a Bridport care home have adopted an "action plan" to meet standards after it was told to improve by inspectors.

Sidney Gale House, which is managed by Tricuro, was marked as 'requires improvements' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The home failed to meet standards for whether it is safe and well led - but was marked as good for providing an effective, caring and responsive service.

The CQC report said: "Whilst there were systems in place to review peoples individual needs, there was little recorded evidence to state that people had been consulted about their ongoing support needs.

"Where needs had changed, the reasons for the change were not always recorded so that you could accurately assess if people's needs were being consistently met."

The home was also criticised for its use of agency staff.

The report added: "The home was experiencing problems recruiting new permanent staff members and relied on agency staff.

"The provider had plans in place to minimise the impact to the delivery of care and was actively trying to resolve this issue. However the induction of agency staff into meeting people's needs was required to be improved.

"One staff member told us 'sometimes we don't get time to give people their shower if

we spend more than the usual with another person'. Another staff member told us 'we don't get any time to talk with people, its very task centred at the moment'."

The report continued: "People told us they had confidence in the staff to care for them in a professional and empathetic manner.

"People told us they felt safe. Relatives told us how caring the staff were. People were treated kindly and respectfully. Their individual needs, likes, dislikes and preferences were

respected by staff and people were offered choice."

The home was last inspected in 2014, when it was run by Dorset County Council, and was found to meet standards.

Alison Waller, Tricuro managing director, said: "We already have an action plan in place to address the two areas identified in relation to the agency staff induction and quality checks ensuring clients are appropriately involved and consulted about changes to their care plan.

"Tricuro always takes the feedback from inspections seriously and is constantly seeking to improve services and will learn from this inspection."

The county council is putting together plans to replace both the Fisherman's Arms and Sidney Gale House in a revamp of social care in Bridport.

Ms Waller believes the uncertain future of the home is hindering recruitment.

She added: "The CQC noted that the manager is committed to providing a good service and a recruitment campaign is underway to reduce the amount of agency staff being used. "Uncertainty about the home's future has been a factor in attracting staff. Tricuro is working with Dorset County Council regarding the replacement of the Sidney Gale House which will have a positive impact once a solution to develop the new home is agreed."