A care home, likened to an institution, has been deemed unsafe and put into special measures by the health watchdog.

Grace Manor Care Centre in Grange Road, Gillingham, provides accommodation and care for 52 people with mental or physical health needs and people living with dementia.

The Care Quality Commission sent in a team of inspectors who found it to be inadequate and that people were not being treated with dignity or being safeguarded against abuse or harm.

A report published this week stated: “Risks to people’s safety and welfare were not well managed to make sure they were protected from harm.

“Staff did not have all the information they needed about how to report abuse. People were not treated with dignity and respect. Some staff spoke to people in a demeaning manner. People’s confidential information was displayed in communal areas of the home.

“People were not provided with meaningful activities, they were at risk of social isolation and had limited contact with the local community. There was an institutional culture.”

“Staff did not have all the information they needed about how to report abuse. People were not treated with dignity and respect. Some staff spoke to people in a demeaning manner." - CQC report

It was also found there were not enough staff to meet people’s needs and there were not effective recruitment procedures in place to ensure new staff were of good character and had the skills and experience needed.

Medicines were also not well managed and recorded and incidents were not always thoroughly monitored and investigated. At the time of inspection the home was almost at capacity, with 51 people and did not have a registered manager.

However relatives and staff told inspectors they felt the home was well run.

A spokesman from Grace Manor Care Home said: “We are, of course, deeply disappointed by the outcome of the one-day CQC inspection.

“At the time of the inspection, we were already introducing changes to areas highlighted by our own audit team, and we recognise that there are some areas where staff are receiving additional training, support and guidance – this is an ongoing process in every care setting.

“In the months since the inspection, we have taken positive action to improve all of the areas highlighted in the report.

“We are working in an open and transparent way with partner agencies to implement and monitor the improvements.”

Grace Manor will be re-inspected within six months to check it has improved.