A CARE home has failed its first inspection since it was taken over from previous owner Bupa.

Burrswood Care Home was taken over by Advinia Health Care in April 2018 and was rated “good” by the care watchdog at the time.

Its first inspection under Advinia has left it with a “requires improvement” rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Inspectors said: “We were aware, and people, their relatives and the staff told us, that in the past year Burrswood had been through several significant changes.

“The home had changed ownership, there had been three registered managers of the service and internal restructuring of the staff team.

“These changes had affected morale and confidence in most parts of the service.”

During the inspection the CQC found “seven breaches” of regulations relating to staffing levels, medicine management, individual’s risk assessments, training, care plans, activities and record keeping.

When Advinia took over from Bupa, CEO Len Merton said: “I think the residents will see very little change other than for the better.”

Inspectors found that hostesses who had helped people at meal times “had

been removed and not replaced by an additional member of staff as had been agreed”.

They were also concerned by the lack of activity co-ordinators for residents living with dementia.

They said there were “not enough” to “provide people with meaningful activity to help support their physical and mental wellbeing”.

The care home was rated “requires improvement” in four of the five assessed areas.

It was rated “good” for its care.

Inspectors found residents and their families liked the staff at the home. One told inspectors: ""[Relative] is very resistant to personal care but the staff work with [relative].

"[Relative] is very proud and they respect that."

The CQC was pleased with the dignity and respect offered to residents and noted that staff supported some of the residents to maintain their independence.

For example one person who used their bus pass to go out and kept staff informed of where they were going.

Inspectors said: "The atmosphere throughout the home was calm, relaxed and friendly. People were aware of the changes in ownership, management and staff team and the uncertainty this had brought to the home. However, they told us that the standard of care they received remained good despite this."

Inspectors will carry out a further inspection within 12 months.

Advinia CEO Len Merton said:  “Following our recent CQC inspection held at Burrswood Nursing Home in  December, 2018, we were disappointed with the overall Requires Improvement as the report is not wholly proportionate.  The inspection feedback was that two of the four units were excellent.

“Whilst we were pleased that the caring element of the report was rated as Good, as looking after our residents is the most important part of our role, we have developed a robust action plan, which we are working through diligently, to address the areas where improvements have been identified. We believe that improvements have occurred since the takeover from BUPA and these would continue to reflect a Good rating next time.

"Much progress has already been made in the past three months and this has been recognised by local stakeholders.

“Advinia strives to deliver safe, effective, high quality care and as an organisation we are committed to being open and honest with residents and families and we will work together to ensure the improvements being made are formally recognised by CQC in the near future.”