A KIDDERMINSTER care home was found to have breached five health and safety regulations following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Coppice Lodge, in Walter Nash Road East, has been put into special measures after receiving an 'inadequate' rating from an inspection carried out in January, which highlighted issues including hygiene, safeguarding and safety.

The care home accommodates eight people with learning disabilities in an adapted two-floor building, and this was the first inspection under its new provider.

The inspection found that the provider had "failed to identify and address serious risks to people's health and well-being", that medicines were not being managed safely, and those living there were put at "risk of potential injury" or exposure to infection.

Inspectors found a large electrical fan that was "covered in thick dust" in a bedroom, a broken armchair, window cover, and radiator covers in other bedrooms, and "foul-smelling" fluid on a toilet floor.

A follow-up report notes that "due to the lack of care records that were complete and up to date, the provider could not be assured that people were receiving personalised care that met their needs in a responsive way", and that staff had "no clear picture" of people's care and support needs.

It was found that the provider had not supported staff to stay up-to-date with their training, and failed to ensure they were equipped with the right skills and competency to carry out their role.

An inspector said that some staff raised concerns about poor practice within the home that previous management had not addressed.

The report says staff spoke fondly of the people they supported, felt proud and "part of a family", but did express frustration with the environment and felt it "did not promote people's dignity".

Inspectors saw that in communal areas of the home, people were comfortable with staff and residents spoke about how they "kept people safe from harm of abuse".

The provider had "demonstrated openness and transparency" through the inspection process, and "acknowledged that the systems they were reliant on were not effective" and said new monitoring systems were being looked into.

Coppice Lodge was rated 'inadequate' in three areas - safe, effective and well-led - and 'requires improvement' in the caring and responsive categories.

The CQC said action will be taken to prevent the provider from operating if not enough improvement is made within six months.

Coppice Lodge refused to comment on the inspection result.