A Southend care home which looks after patients with dementia has been criticised after inspectors found not all staff had "up-to-date training." 

Alexandra Road’s Melrose House was visited by CQC inspectors last month and twice in May leading to the service being rated requires improvement.

It is the second time the home, which cares for 34 people, has been handed this rating in the space of a year. 

Inspectors found "minor improvements" had been made but more work was needed to make the service safe. 

The report, published this week, said: “Minor improvements were still required to the service's risk management strategies and medicine records to ensure these were safe. Some further improvements were still required to the care home environment.

“Although there was no impact for people using the service, not all staff had attained up-to-date training or received regular formal supervision.

“Although staff told us they felt supported and valued by the registered manager, formal staff supervision arrangements were not consistent. For example, one member of staff had not received supervision since 2021.

“Three other members of staff last received supervision in September, October and November 2022.

“The registered manager told us since they had been appointed, a review of the above had been undertaken, and they were looking at how an effective system to formally supervise staff could be implemented given there was no additional managerial support arrangements in place to assist with this.”

It added the registered manager was “aware of their responsibilities to ensure all newly employed staff received a robust introduction, including the completion of the care certificate”, a set of standards that social care and health workers should follow in their working life.

In a previous report, it was mentioned night staff had not participated in a fire drill but six months later, the issue remained outstanding.

The registered manager said it would be addressed.

However, the CQC did praise Melrose House for making improvements to most risks to people’s safety and wellbeing being assessed and recorded and accurate medicines records were maintained.

They also commended the provider’s auditing arrangements being completed, unlike in January where they found gaps.

The Echo has contacted Melrose House, but they failed to respond in time before going to print.

To read the full report, click here.