A CARE home has been slammed by watchdogs in a damning report that has revealed the services is unsafe and putting vulnerable people at risk.

Brookdale House Care Home, on Hursley Road in Chandler's Ford, has been told it "requires improvement" in its most recent CQC report.

The report has revealed that the home was not safe for their vulnerable residents, with one incident resulting in a resident being rushed to hospital.

The inspection took place on September 22 and the report was published on December 18, revealing that the home was not safe and is poorly led. The category 'safe' was rated as inadequate - the lowest rating the CQC can give.

The report revealed that on one occasion a person had accessed the kitchen and swallowed a dishwasher tablet which had resulted in them being admitted to hospital.

Despite this risk, inspectors found that dishwasher tablets had still not been locked away, but did find the kitchen lock had been fixed.

Inspectors also found a razor blade in one of the communal bathrooms, which they explained could pose a risk of harm to residents living with dementia.

Two relatives raised concerns about the skills of staff to manage their family members needs in relation to

behaviour that might challenge others, and staff told inspectors that "they did not feel they had had sufficient training".

Inspectors also found there were significant gaps in the daily cleaning schedules provided.

The provider told inspectors that care staff completed the cleaning when the housekeeper was not on duty. Staff added "they did not always have time" to do this.

Allison Jones, operations director at Brookdale House, told the Daily Echo that in April the home had an outbreak of coronavirus, "which had a devastating effect on our residents , residents families and staff".

She added: "We felt the CQC inspection was harsh especially as it was carried out during an unprecedented time in everyone’s life and we still believe we made the right decision in protecting our residents.

"However we have made huge investments to enable us to manage the home should we have another outbreak and to ensure we comply in with CQC.

"We have three goods (ratings), one requires improvement and one inadequate and CQC have not changed out overall CQC rating.

"At the time of the inspection Brookdale House did not have a Registered Manager however a new manager was in post awaiting her registration interview.

"The provider has acknowledged that improvements needed to be made with documentation to re-assure CQC."