Bosses of an Ipswich care home rated as under-performing by the health watchdog have criticised inspectors for not giving the new manager enough time to maintain standards.

Chrissian Residential Home in Woodbridge Road was given an overall ‘requires improvement’ rating – the third best out of four rankings – in a new inspection report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The residential home, which provides accommodation for up to 22 older people including those living with dementia, was previously rated ‘good’.

In the latest CQC report, published last week, it was rated as good in three individual areas – effective, caring and response. But it required improvement in the safe and well-led categories.

Feizal Molabaccus, director of the residential home, said: “The new manager (Jamie Cremer) had been in post for only four weeks and he is learning on the job – they have not given him a chance at all.

“We are disappointed with the report, but we are going to give Jamie a chance because it is not fair. He has not had a chance to get his hands in.

“We don’t agree with the report but we are always open to improvements. Jamie is doing really well now and we are very confident we will pass another inspection very shortly.”

The CQC report said: “Staffing levels were adequate but we observed limited time set aside for organised social activities.

“People were at a greater risk of infection because staff practices were poor.

“(But) there was a new manager in post who demonstrated to us their willingness to listen and improve the service... the acting manager said they felt well supported.”