A WESTCLIFF care home has been deemed “unsafe” after being so short staffed that patients weren’t taken to the toilet.

In a recent inspection from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Fairview House, which are based on Fairview Drive, was rated inadequate.

Although inspectors observed enough staff numbers on the day of inspection, relatives and staff told CQC how unusual this was.

A relative said: “They are short of staff a lot. I’ve never seen so many people here as I have today. This is not normal. The other day there was only three staff on for this many people to look after. People have to wait to be helped.”

A member of staff said: “We’ve had days when we’re so short staffed that we have not been able to take people to the toilet.”

People failed to receive their prescribed medication, and medicines were not always kept securely, being left unattended on top of the medication trolley. This meant dementia patients could access them.

Inspectors observed one person in bed whose modesty had been exposed. Staff continued to visit the person and failed to identify their dignity was at risk.

One staff member said: “People are getting sore because we don’t have time to turn them.”

Inspectors observed two staff members pulling a person up after they had fallen, putting the person and staff involved at significant risk of harm and injury.

However, rooms were kept clean, personalised, accessible, comfortable and decorated with personal items. One person told inspectors: “My room is beautiful, look at all the light I get. I have pictures from home on the wall, including my wife.”

As a result, the CQC deemed that the home was unsafe, ineffective and wasn’t well led. It was also determined that the service required improvement in terms of care and responsiveness. It was decided that not enough improvement had been made since the last inspection in November 2018, where they were rated as requires improvement.

The home to 55 residents, including some with dementia, has now been put into special measures. They will be kept under review and, if CQC don’t propose to cancel the provider’s registration, they will re-inspect within six months to check for significant improvements.

A spokesperson for Fairview House said: “The Strathmore Care Group is obviously disappointed with the outcome and that our expected high standards were not achieved.

“We take any matters that have a negative impact on residents very seriously. We have and are continuing to work with the CQC and Southend Council to improve and maintain safety and wellbeing.

“As a result of the recent inspection, a full action plan has been formulated and implemented, with many aspects already achieved and sustained.”