A CARE home in Tadley has been told it needs to improve following an inspection. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited Cherry Blossom Manor, in German Road, in February this year, and in a report, said it requires improvement in three of five areas inspected.

The home, run by Barchester Healthcare, provides nursing care for up to 77 people including those with dementia.

Relatives told inspectors that staffing levels were not sufficient to meet residents’ needs.

The report said: “Although rosters indicated that sufficient staff were on duty, it was not clear that they were always deployed appropriately to meet people’s needs and wishes promptly.”

A relative said: “Staff do their best, but there is just not enough staff to meet every resident’s needs.”

The report said: “During our inspection call bells were answered promptly.

Staff were patient and responsive to people’s needs, but did not appear to have time to sit and chat with people to provide the social connections and reassurance people valued.”

Staff also told the CQC that they were always busy.

The registered manager told inspectors that the home had struggled to recruit permanent nurses of the required calibre because of the home’s geographical area.

The CQC graded the home as good in the care category, and inspectors were told by residents and their families that staff were “caring and friendly”.

The report said: “Meals were not rushed. A care worker sat quietly supporting a person unable to eat independently in their room. The care worker waited for the person to finish each mouthful before offering the next, and offered sips of drink regularly. They ensured the person’s mouth was wiped to maintain their dignity.”

The home was graded as requires improvement for responsiveness because staff did not always have enough time to chat to residents.

A statement from Barchester Healthcare said: “Since the inspection, we have taken action to address the areas highlighted, and we continue to make improvements in our service. We would like to reassure everyone of our commitment to provide the highest quality of care and to emphasise that their health and wellbeing is at the forefront of everything we do.”