The Oaks nursing home in Derby told to improve
A Derby nursing home has been told to improve the quality of its care or face the consequences.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said it had "major concerns" over The Oaks nursing home's compliance, after it failed five of the watchdog's six main standards of quality and safety.
Home manager Clare Boyce said many of the patients had dementia which the CQC had failed to take into account.
The nursing home, in Mickleover, was inspected unannounced on 29 September.
'Choices not respected'
In a review, the CQC said although patients' healthcare needs were being met, the residents were often not treated with respect.
Inspectors said they observed staff at the Western Road home talking about patients' needs in communal areas. It also found meal choices were not respected.
Ms Boyce said: "All our residents have a choice, but some can't communicate and, because they've been here for many years, we know what they like and we work closely with relatives about their choices."
The CQC said it also found that not all staff had the required two references.
Ms Boyce said it was difficult to get some references because of "admin problems", but "major checks", which included criminal records information and whether staff were registered to look after vulnerable people, had been carried out.
CQC regional director Andrea Gordon said: "The law says these are the standards that everyone should be able to expect and providers have a duty to ensure they are compliant.
"The people at this nursing home are vulnerable and the owner must take action to bring about swift and sustainable improvements."
Ms Gordon said legal powers would be used against The Oaks, which has 28 residents, if the "required progress" was not improved.