A CARE home has been placed in special measures after being judged as ‘inadequate’ during three separate inspections in the space of ten months.

The latest report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), published last week, found that Thistlegate House in Charmouth put residents at risk of harm and the management was inadequate, following an unannounced inspection in October 2015.

The report also found that “the registered manager shouted at inspectors on a number of occasions”.

The CQC said it was taking enforcement action against Thistlegate House, but it could not be discussed for legal reasons.

Thistlegate House provides accommodation and care for up to 18 older people. There were five people with complex care needs associated with dementia and restricted mobility, living at the home when inspectors visited.

The care home also requires improvement for its effectiveness of service, how caring the service is and how response the service is to people’s needs.

The latest report said: “During our inspection we found a number of the concerns identified at these previous inspections remained.

“Staff did not know who to report abuse to and the information available to them was out of date. This meant there might be delays in reporting abuse which would put people at an increased risk of harm.

“Staff did not have a shared understanding of the evacuation procedure and fire exits were blocked.”

The CQC report also criticised the registered manager at Thistlegate House.

The report added: “The registered manager did not operate a system that was effective in ensuring people received good quality care.

“They had not responded appropriately to concerns identified in our previous inspections or to requirements made by environmental health professionals relating to the safety of the kitchen.

“The registered manager shouted at inspectors on a number of occasions during our inspection.”

Inspectors found that Thistlegate House had breached the Health and Social Care Act - relating to the governance of the home, people’s care not being delivered in a way that met their needs, staff training and “people not being treated with respect and protection from abuse”.

The report also revealed that “people did not receive their medicines safely” and “were not protected from harm through appropriate assessment and care planning”.

Nobody from Thistlegate House was available for comment, when contacted by The News.

In May 2014, the News revealed that 69 care homes across Dorset, including Thistlegate House, had been told to improve by the CQC. The home has been deemed inadequate following three separate inspections last year.

Nicky Nendick, head of inspection for adult social care for CQC South West, said: “We have rated Thistlegate House inadequate and it was placed into special measures. “Our inspection reports set out the action the provider is required to take to address the concerns identified. In the meantime, CQC have taken further enforcement action but for legal reasons we are unable to comment until that process is completed.”