A Southampton care home has been told it requires improvement after health inspectors found it did not “properly assess the risk” of a possible legionella outbreak.

The grading was made when inspectors visited Haven Rose care home on Landguard Road on January 18 and 23, and has been revealed in its latest CQC report.

The home provides care and accommodation for 11 people who have dementia or a mental health condition.

The provider was told it did not “properly assess the risk” of legionella, a potentially fatal bacteria that can cause a serious type of pneumonia.

This was despite a risk assessment that had been made by the manager.

Annual tests for the bacteria had been negative but the testing was not in line with current guidance, inspectors said.

This led them to say they were not assured “sufficient steps” had been taken to protect people from the bacteria.

READ MORE: Care home where medicine is stocked incorrectly slammed for putting people 'at risk'

Staff at the home did not always have the complete or most up-to-date training, which included safeguarding, moving and handling and fire safety.

Although no examples of poor care were witnessed and relatives did not have any concerns around training, inspectors fear this had the “potential to put people at risk of unsafe care”.

Inspectors also observed there wasn’t a robust system to ensure employers were suitably qualified, competent and experienced.

Not all staff had enough evidence to prove they had previously worked in health or social care, as all three files looked at by inspectors had gaps in employment history.

READ MORE: Southampton care home slammed in scathing report over serious safety concerns

Despite this, people were supported by enough staff to meet their needs and relatives said the staff were always warm and welcoming.

One said: "Every time I have been there have been no issues with staff. I have been greeted by staff who are cheerful, inviting and welcoming. I have never had difficulty finding everyone”.

Another said: “Compared with what he was like when he lived on his own, he is 100 per cent better. He wouldn't listen to the carers. He is now clean, and eating properly. He is much happier.”

Plans have been lodged with the city council earlier this year to convert the care home into five separate flats have now been approved.

The Echo has contacted Haven Rose Residential Care Home.