A CARE home has been put back into special measures just months after being taken out by the Care Quality Commission.

Melrose House, in Alexandra Road, Southend, was rated as inadequate overall, with the report citing that “improvements had not been sustained or maintained” since the last inspection.

In March 2016 and September 2016, the service attained an overall quality rating of inadequate and was put into special measures. However, following a further inspection of the service in December 2016, the quality rating of the service was judged to be requires improvement as a result of significant improvements made at that time.

The service was taken out of special measures but at the most recent inspection, in March this year, it was found that those improvements had not been sustained or maintained.

The report said: “People did not consistently receive a service that was caring or care that met their individual needs. Improvements were needed to ensure people using the service were treated with respect and dignity. Although people had had their capacity to make decisions assessed, staff did not always understand the importance of giving people choices.

“The management of medicines was not safe as people did not always receive their medication as prescribed and medicines were not stored as safely as they should be.

“The premises were not ‘fit for purpose,’ particularly for people living with dementia. People were not living in a well-maintained environment as many areas of the service required redecoration and some items of furniture, fixtures and fittings required repair or replacement.”

Inspectors also found that people and their relatives were not fully involved in the assessment and planning of people’s care.

However, arrangements were in place for staff to receive appropriate training opportunities and the majority of mandatory training for staff was up-to-date and there were sufficient numbers of staff available to meet people’s needs.

A spokesman for the home said: “We appreciate the role that CQC have in regulating care homes, and always aim to work positively with them. We have had an unsettling year or so and this is reflected in our current rating. We have appointed a new manager to help us move forward and address the shortfalls identified by the CQC. We have already started work at the home, prior to the report being published, to ensure our residents are well cared for.”

The care home provides accommodation, personal care and nursing care for up to 34 older people.