A WATCHDOG discovered dirty and stained bedding and carpets at a York care home – six months after ordering it to make improvements.

Birchlands Care Home, in Moor Lane, Haxby, was slated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) late last year after inspectors found it was failing to protect residents’ safety and welfare.

But when inspectors paid another unannounced visit in May, they found it was failing to provide a clean environment and protect residents from the risk of infection.

A report has revealed they found:

• Some bedrooms smelt “very unpleasant”, and the beds had been made up with dirty, stained and in some cases soiled bedding

• Some carpets were dirty and stained, one with faeces

• A set of bedding was threadbare, with holes in the sheets and duvet covers

• A ripped mattress had been taped to hold it together.

A report by the CQC said the inspectors also found equipment such as hoists and wheelchairs were dirty, and in some cases it was clear they had not been cleaned for a significant amount of time.

“This was despite an infection control audit being carried out where this matter had been identified, and care meeting minutes dated January 2013 where we saw: ‘Wipe all hoists and wheelchairs down at the end of each shift’.”

It said the home was failing to follow its own policies and systems to prevent, detect and control the spread of infection.

The report also called for better training and support for staff, but said the home met standards for the management of medicines, for respecting residents’ privacy, dignity and independence and for giving residents care and treatment that met their needs.

“People told us that they were well cared for and liked living at Birchlands.”

Mimosa Healthcare, the home’s registered provider, told The Press it viewed the CQC’s findings extremely seriously.

“Since the inspection took place, the management of the home have worked diligently to address the concerns raised in the report and have now rectified the areas that required improvement,” said a spokesman.

“The safety and well-being of all our residents is of paramount importance and priority to the company and our staff.

“We work hard to ensure that we comply with all of the regulations laid down by CQC and to meet the high standards demanded not only by ourselves but our residents and their families.”