TWO Wyre Forest care facilities have been told they must improved after they were visited by inspectors from the care quality commission.

Both Carewatch and Brookdale Nursing Home were rated as 'requires improvement' after two unannounced inspections by the independent health regulator took place at each facility on 26 June and 28 July and 7 and 10 July, respectively.

A report published on Monday, September 28, said Carewatch, which has a base Lisle Avenue, Kidderminster, required improvement in all areas.

The report said services at Carewatch were not always safe, effective, caring, responsive, or well-led, and noted several problems with staffing which led to the rating in the inspections.

"People liked the care staff and felt safe around care staff. However, staff shortages meant people’s call times were later than planned," the report said.

"People were cared for by staff who did not always have the expertise or confidence to care for them. People did

however, receive care that they understood and were offered choices."

A spokesman for Carewatch, a home agency providing personal care for around 77 people, said: "Carewatch Kidderminster has experienced challenges caused by the difficulty in recruiting staff locally. However, we are liaising closely with Worcestershire County Council and recruiting to increase staff numbers. We are keen to hear from any who wish to make a real difference to people’s lives and are interested in a career in care."

A report published on Thursday, October 1, said Brookdale Nursing Home, in Blakebrook, Kidderminster, required improvement in three of five areas.

While inspectors rated the service from the home, which cares for the elderly, specialising in dementia, physical disabilities, injury, diseases, or disorders, as 'good' in the safe and caring categories, it was rated as 'requires improvement' in effective, responsive and well-led categories.

The report said: "People were potentially being unnecessarily deprived of their liberty.

"People were not always supported by staff who were monitored by the management team to ensure quality care.

"Relatives were generally happy with the support available to their family members. People benefitted from enough staff to meet their care needs."

Brookdale Nursing Home declined to comment on the findings of the report.