A care home in Ipswich has retained its rating of "requires improvement" after inspectors found a repeated breach of regulations and raised concerns about medicines, infection control and dementia care.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out an inspection of The Lodge, a residential care home on London Road supporting up to 44 people living with dementia and mental health needs.
At the time of the inspection, 37 people were living at the service.
Inspectors said the home was on an "improving journey" and was no longer in breach of regulations relating to safe care and treatment.
However, the overall rating remained "requires improvement" and the CQC said there was a repeated breach relating to governance.
The report said systems for monitoring the service had improved since the previous inspection but "further work was needed to ensure all shortfalls were independently identified and addressed".
Among the concerns highlighted by inspectors were medicines management, infection prevention and control, and parts of the care environment.
The CQC also found people living with dementia did not always have enough sensory items and activities available to meet their individual needs.
Inspectors said people's daily records often focused on "task-based" care and "did not always identify interactions and engagement".
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While people told inspectors staff were available when needed and described them as caring, some residents said staff did not always have enough time to spend talking with them.
One resident told inspectors: "Staff are very approachable and very willing to help."
Another said: "I would recommend it, it has a homely atmosphere, it is relaxed and the best thing is I am listened to."
The watchdog found staffing levels were adequate, staff had received appropriate training and people had access to healthcare professionals when needed.
Relatives generally gave positive feedback about communication with the home, although inspectors noted a complaint was being investigated by the registered manager at the time of the assessment.
The CQC concluded that further improvements were needed before the service could achieve a higher rating.
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