A care complex has been ordered to improve by inspectors following staff shortages that left some employees feeling unsupported and under pressure.

The warning follows a visit to Cedar House near Canterbury by the Care Quality Commission, amid “a number of concerns” about the service.

The Barham facility, which is a collection of residential wards catering for up to 39 people with mental health disorders and learning difficulties, had brought in agency workers in an unsuccessful bid to alleviate the staffing issue.

The inspection happened in June and the CQC’s head of hospital inspection for mental health, Karen Bennett-Wilson, said: “We had a number of concerns when we inspected Cedar House.

“We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities, where appropriate, that most people take for granted.

“However, the design and layout of the hospital building and the overall size and scale of the service does not support the delivery of modern, effective care for people with a learning disability or autistic people.”

Cedar House was rated inadequate and placed into special measures last year, after inspectors were left shocked by its dirty toilets and damp ceilings.

The specialist hospital was taken over in November by Coveberry Limited, which has helped lift the premises’ CQC rating to requires improvement.

The report noted that the new provider had improved the facility’s flooring, bathrooms and kitchens on some wards.

But Ms Bennett-Wilson added: “Further work still needs to be done to ensure people using the service are in an environment that is safe, well maintained and meets their physical and sensory needs.

“Improvements also need to be made to staffing levels and staff training and supervision, to ensure that consistently good care is provided to people.

“That said, the service was delivering kind and compassionate care and people were safe and supported to be as independent as possible and have control over their lives.”

"Coveberry acknowledges that more work is required and is committed to continuing improvements to the quality of care at the hospital..."

The report stated those receiving care “spoke highly of the staff and the care they received”.

Ms Bennett-Wilson says the provider “does have a plan in place to address the issues”.

Despite having an overall mark of requires improvement, Cedar House was rated good in two of the five areas assessed – caring and responsiveness.

A Coveberry spokesman said: “Upon taking control of Cedar House, Coveberry immediately embarked upon a programme of improvement to upgrade the standard of services, facilities and the environment as well as enhance training support for staff.

“However, Coveberry acknowledges that more work is required and is committed to continuing improvements to the quality of care at the hospital.”

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