A RESIDENTIAL home has been told it requires improvement after an unannounced inspection found some patients’ dignity was not being respected.

Kilkee Lodge Residential Home, in Coggeshall Road, Braintree, provides accommodation and personal care for up to 80 people, some of whom have dementia. A report published last month revealed the Care Quality Commission rated the home as requiring improvement in four out of five areas.

The report said: “An error had occurred with the recording of a controlled drug. Although the number of medicines for one person was correctly recorded in the controlled drugs book the Medication Administration Record (MAR) was not correct.

“At 10.05 we observed a person in their bed, with their catheter lying on floor.

“This is an issue of dignity and also infection control. We later observed the person in a lounge with the catheter valve touching the floor as there was no strap in use.

“We raised the matter with a senior member of staff who informed us the catheter bag had recently been changed and we checked and the catheter bag change had been dated two days previously.”

Inspectors spoke to several residents at the home, one of which said nobody talks with them or comes in for a chat because staff are so busy.

The report added: “We saw that one person’s care plan stated that the fluid output was to be recorded but we could not see that a record had been completed accurately.

“The arrangements for bathing and showering could have been better arranged to be person-centred. Staff were not always visible in the communal areas which meant that people were at risk of falls.”

The inspection showed there was a caring service at Kilkee Lodge and people were treated with dignity and respect.

Manager Gina Mickle, who took over after the inspection, said: “The inspection was carried out prior to my post here in January, it’s not a reflection of the new management.

“We acknowledge the shortfalls and gaps and respect the CQC’s findings.

“Our aim is to fill those gaps and mace up for any shortfalls. We have made a lot of headway so far and inspectors are happy with our progress. I look forward to the next inspection.”