A care home with a pest problem and elderly people who feel isolated has been told it must improve.

Ashley Down Nursing Home in Clarence Place, Gravesend, was inspected this year after a check in 2014 found it lacking.

Not enough changes had been made and the Care Quality Commission has now said it requires improvement in almost every area.

The service, run by Richard Khan Lall Mahomed, provides accommodation for up to 19 older people and was found inconsistently safe.

Back in December pest control had to be called after mice were seen in the kitchen and in four bedrooms.

The report, published at the end of May, stated: “There was not enough staff to meet the assessed needs of people.”

Because of the strain on staff, those employed had not received all the necessary training and did not have any time to spend with residents, inspectors found.

'Staff used to take me outside when we had nice weather, but I usually sit here in the lounge. We sometimes play games like I Spy. There is no one to sit and talk to.' - Resident

The report states: “There were no meaningful activities taking place in the home. There was a lack of stimulation and people were at risk of social isolation.”

One person interviewed by inspectors had not been taken out of bed for a week.

Another said: “Staff used to take me outside when we had nice weather, but I usually sit here in the lounge. We sometimes play games like I Spy. There is no one to sit and talk to.”

The manager said the home was looking to recruit an activities coordinator, but nothing had been put in place.

Specific requests by residents had also been ignored in surveys and there was still an outstanding complaint from a year ago that had not been addressed.

One member of staff has not taken a day off in eight months because they were “concerned about what would happen if they did not come in”.

Mr Mahomed said: “I can’t stop this person working, it is their choice.”

Generally, people said they were happy in the home, which was rated ‘Good’ for how caring it is.

However, it requires improvement for the safety, effectiveness, leadership and responsiveness.

People with dementia were also said to be struggling because of the layout of the home, and a lack of signage made it hard for them to negotiate their way around.

The home was approached for a comment by the Messenger but did not respond.