HEALTH inspectors have uncovered a catalogue of failings at a Hampshire care home.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that Webber House in Station Road, Park Gate was not clean, was understaffed and workers were putting in shifts of up to 28 hours.

Cases of elderly residents abusing each other were also going unreported and no activities were organised for occupants, inspectors discovered.

One resident who needed a special diet was found being served food that was unsuitable.

In total the watchdog discovered the home was not meeting set standards in eight areas – and in six the failings were so serious they were likely to have a major impact on residents’ health, safety and welfare.

The care home caters for elderly people – some of whom have dementia – and has been ordered to produce an action plan to raise standards.

If inspectors are not satisfied with improvements, the home could face closure.

Hampshire County Council has suspended admissions to the private care home, to which it had referred residents through its social services department.

The council said that it was funding the care for five residents and was working with the home to ensure standards were raised.

The other residents living at the home are understood to pay for their care privately.

Reacting to the CQC’s findings, Age Concern Hampshire boss Chris Perry said something needed to be done.

He said: “This is totally unacceptable, but regrettably is not uncommon in that there have been countless similar reports in recent months, and is a sad reflection of the low esteem in which society as a whole holds older people.

“Now is the time for action.”

During an inspection in April officials found that the home, which houses up to 13 residents, was not clean.

They reported mould and dried faeces in an upstairs bathroom, along with dirty conditions in the kitchen.

Their report also says residents were left with nothing to do apart from watch television and wander around the home, with some put to bed at 8pm.

It adds: “The lack of activity was also of further concern as some people had demonstrated aggressive behaviour and there was nothing to occupy them.”

Inspectors found that staff did nothing to deal with assaults by residents and no consideration was given to how these incidents could be reduced.

A spokesman for the CQC said action would be taken if the problems were not addressed – with closure being the ultimate sanction.

Care home manager Marie McCann told the Daily Echo that action had been taken at the home but refused to comment further.

She said: “The thing is we had shortfalls and we resolved them on May 24.

“I was told that they were happy with it and that’s all I have to say.”

The care home would not disclose how much residents were charged, but average care home costs in the UK are more than £500 per week.