GOVERNMENT inspectors have criticised the running of a care home operated by Cumbria County Council.

A team of experts from health watchdog the Care Quality Commission has declared Elmhurst, a 40 bedroom property for elderly people in Ulverston, as "requiring improvement" following an unannounced visit.

A report on the findings of the inspection team state the home, in the town's Priory Road, was found to be in breach of two regulations on staffing and the monitoring of improvements when an issue had been reported.

Those in charge of the facility within the county authority have now been ordered to make improvements to ensure Elmhurst becomes safe, effective and as well led as quickly as possible.

The report states: "We found at this inspection there was a breach of Regulation 18 of the Health and Social Care Act.

"This was because there was not clear evidence that the staffing levels and range of staff skills required within the home to meet people's needs were being systematically assessed.

"There was also a breach of Regulation 17.

"This was because systems for the monitoring of the quality of the service had not been effective in some instances."

Elmhurst, which has 30 residents, a number of which have dementia, was given an overall rating of "requires improvement" by the health and care watchdog.

It was rated as "good" for the caring nature of its staff who were described as "kind" and "very nice" by residents.

But the home was rated as "requires improvement" for all other categories including the way it is governed and how safe, effective and responsive it is for residents.

A spokesperson for Cumbria County Council said: "We obviously take this feedback seriously as we are committed to providing the best care possible for people living in our homes.

"We are now working on a specific improvement plan that will help address the concerns from CQC."

Debbie Westhead, the CQC's deputy chief inspector for adult social care in the north, said: "People are entitled to services which provide safe, effective, compassionate and high quality care.

"If that is what we find on inspection - we give the service a rating of good, or outstanding.

"Whenever we find a service to be inadequate, we will consider taking further action on behalf of the people who use the service."