A care home responsible for up to 27 older people is to close after being rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission.

White Lodge in Margate was handed the worst rating overall and on two categories – safety and how well led it is.

Following the rating, management concluded that there was “little alternative but to close down”.

The inspection found regular health and safety checks of the environment, including fire safety, had not been completed to ensure people were safe.

It also discovered the provider had failed to come up with guidance to evacuate people safely in the event of an emergency.

In some cases, the dates on which eye drops and bottles of medicines had been opened had not been recorded, and some tablets were past their expiry date.

One staff member did not have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on file or evidence that one had been seen.

The CQC report says: "Following the inspection, the provider told us they had applied for a DBS and the person was now working during the day so they could be supervised."

However, the inspection also found the service was caring and staff treated people with dignity and respect.

"We appreciate the distress that this has caused to staff, clients and their families, but if the CQC had used common sense it could all have been avoided" - Mike Topping

The inspection took place on July 24.

Mike Topping, who runs the care home with Christine Topping, said White Lodge was "not a failing home" and they were "totally shocked" by the rating.

He said: “Last October White Lodge was inspected by the CQC and they graded us as 'good' in all five categories.

“Following an accident in April, Kent County Council visited us and found some of our paperwork was not up to standard.

“We agreed to overhaul our care plans. Before this exercise was completed, CQC made an unannounced inspection.

“This put us in special measures, which means KCC will not place new clients with us.

“Throughout the report every comment about the care, the carers and those made by clients were all positive.

“White Lodge was not a failing home.

“CQC have effectively stopped us from trading and made our business unsaleable.

“Because we were about to retire after 18 years’ running the home, we felt we had little alternative but to close down.

“We appreciate the distress that this has caused to staff, clients and their families, but if the CQC had used common sense it could all have been avoided.”