'Dirty' New Milton care home placed into special measures

The residential care home in Ashley Road, New Milton, has been rated as inadequate

A residential care home for people with autism found to be "dirty and unsafe" has been placed into special measures.

The Ashfield Care Homes facility in New Milton, Hampshire, has been rated as inadequate following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

It was previously rated as requiring improvement but was downgraded after inspectors from the CQC visited again in July and August.

Allied Care, which manages the home, said it took immediate action.

The CQC found the environment at the home in Ashley Road - which provides care for up to 10 people with autism and learning difficulties - was in a poor state of repair with rubbish and disused items left in the garden areas.

The report also noted it was "dirty and unloved which did not respect the fact it was peoples' home".

Inadequate staffing numbers and peeling surfaces and furniture that posed an infection risk were also identified by inspectors.

Rebecca Bauers, CQC's director for people with a learning disability and autistic people, said: "Many of these issues we have raised previously to the provider and it's unacceptable that so many of these issues remain outstanding.

"We've issued four warning notices to the provider and the manager to focus their attention on urgently making these improvements.

"We won't hesitate to take further action if we're not assured people are receiving the standard of care they deserve."

An Ashfield Care Homes spokesperson said: "The management and staff at 99 Ashley Road are taking the CQC Inspection findings very seriously and have taken immediate action to address the issues identified.

"Whilst we are disappointed with the rating, management continue to work with maximum speed and effort, through an improvement plan, to ensure the highest standards of care are realised and maintained."

They added: "Management will work with and report to the CQC on the improvements they are putting in place to ensure standards improve, feedback from stakeholders has been supportive and encouraging."