A care home where a person was "at risk of choking" has been told to improve by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Oakhurst Lodge care home on Lyndhurst Road, Ashurst failed to reassure inspectors who found the care home was "unsafe" and put people "at risk of avoidable harm".

The care home operated by the Cygnet Group was given a 'requires improvement' rating.

Upon reviewing records and talking to staff, inspectors found "people were not consistently being supported" which led to them "experiencing periods of distress".

In one instance, one person was at risk of choking and the risk assessment gave conflicting information about the level of risk.

The choking assessment for another person did not include up-to-date information about the number of choking incidents they had experienced, according to the report.

Inspectors also found safeguarding concerns that were not being properly investigated.

The report said: "[…] concerns were raised with the inspection team by three staff that safeguarding concerns were not always taken seriously or escalated appropriately by the registered manager.

"One person had a risk assessment regarding making false allegations against staff.

"The risk assessment had been written in a manner that guided staff to start with the premise that allegations would be false rather than stressing the importance of reporting these so they could be fully investigated."

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Staff also raised concerns that some people in the care home were victims of verbal and physical abuse.

The report said: "Three staff raised concerns with us that due to the current mix of people living at the service, some people were experiencing periods of verbal and sometimes physical abuse from a peer who was living with complex needs.

"Not all of these incidents had been escalated to either the local authority or to the Care Quality Commission."

The Cygnet Group said it is "disappointed" with the outcome of the inspection but works have started to "address the issues" raised by the CQC.

A spokesperson said: "Putting our residents first remains at the heart of what we do and we will always strive to provide the very highest standards of care and safety.

"Alongside recognising the kind and caring culture at Cygnet Oakhurst Lodge, CQC inspectors also noted the robust action plan which we have in place.

"A number of improvements have already been made including updating our safeguarding procedures and providing further guidance, training and support to staff on safety intervention and the recording and management of incidents.

"We have refurbished and redecorated areas throughout the service to ensure the people we support feel comfortable in their surroundings and are committed to making continual improvements in the home."