A care home has been rated inadequate by the health watchdog – but its boss says they have made dramatic improvements after a difficult few years.

The Hollies residential home, in Gravesend, had its second inspection in the space of a year in June, after previously being rated inadequate earlier this year by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Many improvements were noted, however the CQC report still found a number of areas of concern.

The inspection found the service was not safe, not well-led, and its effectiveness needed improvement.

Although it noted residents and relatives were happy with the care and support offered, "serious" concerns were raised about safety.

At the time of the inspection, there were 26 people living at the home, but two were in hospital.

The report found timely action had not always been taken in response to people falling and injuring themselves, and fire risks were identified.

"A range of risks to people had not been properly assessed or managed" - CQC report

As well as this, not enough staff were present at night to keep people safe – however staffing numbers at night have since been increased after a visit from the fire service.

Medicine administration records were mostly complete, however prescribed creams, lotions and eyedrops had not been dated on opening, which meant there was no assurance that medicines had been used by the date the manufacturer had recommended.

During the inspection, there was no signage to help people with dementia to orientate themselves.

The report found people were not always assessed to check their capacity to make particular decisions, and records were not always kept to show how decisions were made in people's best interest.

Dining room chairs had become damaged and worn which presented an infection control risk. Despite this, the home was found to be clean.

It was shown residents in the home, which is run by Evergreen Healthcare, were supported by regular staff who they were familiar with, and the staff were well supported by management.

After the last inspection, which had its results released on March 4 this year, the home completed an action plan to show what they would do to improve the conditions.

While a number of improvements had been made, they were still in breach of some regulations on person-centred car and safe care.

The home remains in 'special measures' which means they will be re-inspected within six months.

Director of the Hollies residential home, Peter Rogers, admitted they were disappointed with the results of the report, which happened "after a very difficult three years in healthcare due to Covid."

"We feel that we have dramatically improved for the better since the last CQC visit and are positive that our next inspection will reflect this" - Peter Rogers, director of The Hollies residential home

He said they have made a number of changes at the home, and have had a management re-structure.

He continued: "We have have employed a registered nurse as our new clinical lead who is heading up our care team alongside our RGM Hari – we have also welcomed back Peter and Helen Rogers as company directors.

"We have invested in many new changes such as a top of the range care recording system and we have just undertaken a big dining room revamp and have replaced all lounge and conservatory furniture. We are currently in the process of upgrading our Wi-Fi and telephone system.

"We have also purchased two high profiling beds and air mattresses to enable us to deal with all client’s needs."

He said they have actioned every item CQC have asked them to – including risk assessments, new mental capacity procedure and a new assessment and admission protocol.

"We will meet with the provider following this report being published to discuss how they will make changes to ensure they improve their rating to at least good" - CQC report

They have also installed a new fire alarm system and say they have passed a Kent Fire and Rescue inspection who deemed the building safe and suitable.

He continued: "We have also had two medication audits from external sources both of which were passed with no issues.

"We feel that we have dramatically improved for the better since the last CQC visit and are positive that our next inspection will reflect this and are excited for 2023.

"We are an open and transparent home and always welcome visitors to come into our home to see just how proud we are of it at any time"