A care home given an ‘inadequate’ rating from the CQC has said it is ‘deeply disappointed’ with the rating but it is working hard to remove the home from special measures.

Willow Brook care home in Fareham received the lowest possible grade after CQC inspections on October 31 and November 3.

The care home, on Highlands Road, was rated inadequate on two points of inspection - its safety and its leadership - with the service effectiveness given 'requires improvement'.

The CQC report found the home had 'visibly dirty' bedrooms and kitchen and a mouldy bathroom.

The report said: “We observed clothes and bags strewn on floors, wardrobes with items scattered on the floor and piled on the shelves.

"Bedrooms included trip hazards and people were at risk of harm from an unclean environment."

The home was put under special measures by the regulator so it can improve.

Now Matt Dent, of Assure Healthcare Group who runs the home, said it is ‘working with the CQC’ to improve the standards.

READ MORE: Care home with dirty bedrooms and kitchen slammed as 'inadequate'

'Deeply disappointed'

The statement from the home reads: “We are deeply disappointed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) downgrading the ‘good’ rating for Willowbrook House to ‘inadequate’ and placing the home in special measures.

“The management team and our dedicated staff at Willowbrook House work extremely hard to provide the best possible care for the adults in our care who have learning disabilities, mental health disorders and / or challenging behaviours.

“It requires real dedication to work in such a setting and this is a very hurtful rating to receive for our team.

“We do, however, take some heart from the fact the CQC acknowledges that the relatives of those in our care gave positive feedback about our staff team.”

'Covid and cost of living put real strain on care sector'

He explained the pandemic and the cost of living crisis have put pressure on the care sector.

Saying: “As has been widely publicised, Covid, the period coming out of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis has put a real strain on the care sector as a whole and Willowbrook House has not been immune from these challenges.”

However, he added this won’t be something that will stop them from improving their rating.

He said: “That said, we are not using this as an excuse and we will work with the CQC to remove Willowbrook House from special measures at the earliest opportunity and act upon all recommendations for improvement as a matter of urgency.

“We are delighted to report that we have already been able to appoint a new manager for the home, who has been in post since September last year and has already put in place an action plan for improvement.

“We have also commissioned an external consultancy to help review policies and procedures as part of our action plan for improvement.

“We are confident that the measures we are putting in place will re-establish the home’s ‘good’ rating with the CQC at its next inspection.”