Significant improvements have been made at a care home since an inspection which resulted in strong enforcement action, according to a watchdog.

Sidney Gale House in Bridport was criticised in a damning report published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in October, as reported by the Bridport News at the time, following the inspection in August 2017.

It was found to be ‘inadequate’ and inspectors found the elderly residents at the care home were not protected from the risk of abuse.

In February, the CQC revealed that the former manager of the home, who was running the service at the time of the inspection, had her registration cancelled.

According to guidelines, this is one of the most powerful sanctions the CQC can impose.

Now, Tricuro says it’s pleased with the outcome of a recent comprehensive CQC inspection of Sidney Gale during which officers recognised and reported ‘significant improvements overall and the regulations breached at the previous inspection have been met.’ 

The report goes on to acknowledge the changes led by Tricuro’s registered manager, Lisa Warne, who, since taking on the position in August 2017, has ‘worked tirelessly’ with staff to ensure significant improvements were made.

The overall rating for Sidney Gale House is now ‘requires improvement’ as the CQC wishes to see the changes embedded and sustained over a longer period of time; this will be fully reviewed at the next inspection.

Tricuro’s board of directors and senior management team has thanked Ms Warne and the care home staff who have ‘worked so hard to effect such significant improvements.’

As spokesman for Tricuro said: “We would also like to thank our residents, their families and the local community who rallied to provide significant support to the home during what has been a difficult period.  We look forward to the next inspection when we will evidence sustained improvements and further improve our CQC assessment.”

The Bridport News was inundated with letters of support for Sidney Gale care home when the report was first published in October.

Readers described how their families had been supported by ‘dedicated’ and ‘compassionate’ staff at the care home.

Cabinet lead and deputy leader of Dorset County Council, Jill Haynes, said: “The hard work and commitment of the Tricuro staff, led by the new registered manager, has made the improvements possible in a short space of time and I am confident that these will be sustained and progressed further in the next period.  We are pleased with the outcome of the review.”