CONCERNS have been raised about staffing levels at a Leigh care home following an inspection.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited High Peak Lodge on Bedford Square last year and judged that the home required improvement in two areas.

They judged that the home needed improvement in answer to whether the service provided was safe and whether the service was responsive.

According to the report, one resident said she would like to have a shower every morning but was unable to as there was nobody to assist her. A relative said that they do the best they can but are short staffed.

Residents said that sometimes they had to wait for assistance at night.

In terms of whether the service was responsive, the report states that inspectors directly observed two incidents where people did not have their call bells answered in a timely way with one resident waiting almost an hour after calling for help to use the toilet.

The report added: “Following the inspection, the registered manager sent us a report. This stated that a care worker had wrongly made the assumption that the call bell was coming from the hair dressing salon, and had not checked the nurse call bell screen.”

The home was deemed to be good in the areas of service effectiveness, whether the service was caring and whether the service was well-led.

A spokesperson for the home said: “We work closely with the CQC and welcome their feedback. The report shows that the home is well-led, provides effective and caring support, and our staff team treats individuals with dignity and respect.

“It is unacceptable and We are disappointed that at the time of inspection two people waited longer than they ought for a response to a call bell and therefore for their care needs to be met.

“With regard to staffing levels, the home manager assesses each person’s care needs on an individual basis to ensure that appropriate levels are in place to meet those needs.

“An action plan was put in place immediately after the inspection to improve in those areas identified. The health and wellbeing of the people we support is our number one priority and we look forward to showing full compliance at our next visit.”