A care home has been told to improve after it was revealed there are not enough staff to keep patients safe.

During an inspection by the Care Quality Commission at the Deer Park Care Centre, Detling Avenue, Broadstairs, in October, inspectors found safety to be inadequate while effectiveness, care, responsiveness and leadership required improvement.

The report revealed the number of staff at the home was inadequate.

It was found that while staff supported people who had been identified as being at risk, staffing levels were too low.

On occasion it was found measures were not taken to keep people secure. And officials found evidence of “unsafe practice” while patients were taking medicine.

The report, published earlier this month, says staff do not always know which people in their care needed help.

The watchdog found problems with the responsiveness of the staff as well.

Staff understood people’s preferences, likes and dislikes and how they wanted to spend their time, but there was minimal physical and mental stimulation for residents, which did not always meet their needs.

Concerns were also raised around the way the home is led. They found some systems need work to be more organised to make sure they improve.

The provider’s risk assessments of the buildings had not identified potential risks to people, meaning a number of shortfalls continue in relation to the service received.

The home accommodates people who require nursing or personal care. Staff also work to look after people with a range of mental health conditions and adults more than 65 years old.

Managers were asked to comment but had not done so at the time of going to press.