A CARE home in Headington has apologised for falling “short of the standards” after an unannounced inspection by the health watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) published a report last week detailing a surprise inspection at the 48-bed Albany Care Home in London Road in January.

As a result, the health watchdog has rated leadership at the home “inadequate” and resident safety, care and responsiveness of care “requires improvement”.

Spokeswoman for Age UK Rachelle Kennedy said: “It is always unacceptable when older people are given substandard care. Care homes have a moral and professional duty to care and protect the most vulnerable older people in our society.”

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This is the third time the CQC has rated some or all of the home’s services as inadequate, following two previous inspections in July and October last year.

Spokeswoman for Four Seasons Ltd – the group that operates Albany Care Home – Charlotte Nicholds said: “We are sorry that Albany fell short of the standards we expect all of our homes to provide.”

The CQC said that the care home had to take “urgent” action due to a reliance on agency staff after five nurses left the care home in August.

As a result, new admissions to the care home were suspended.

The care home has now employed five permanent members of staff and Albany’s decision to halt new admissions is under review.

Ms Nicholds said: “We have accepted the CQC’s recommendations and have implemented a comprehensive plan of action.

“This includes an enhanced training programme for all of our staff as well as a more rigorous monitoring procedure to ensure our processes to support quality care are followed.”

“An on-going recruitment programme has been put in place.”