Not-for-provider care home provider Methodist Homes has pledged to bring a Northamptonshire care home up to standard after it was rated Inadequate by the CQC.

The 65-bed, Rushden Park care home, which offers nursing care, was inspected in early February and placed in Special Measures.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported inadequate staffing levels meant carers did not have time to sit with dying residents or take others to the toilet.

Inspectors also found residents were at risk and able to hurt others with one being witnessed kicking another.

Methodist Homes’ chief operating officer Dan Ryan said: “We are bitterly disappointed that the standards at Rushden Park were not meeting the high levels we expect from our homes. Sadly, we have let down residents and the expectations of family and friends of the highest quality care, and for this we are truly sorry.

“As soon as we received feedback from CQC, we made changes to the way the home is managed and operated, as well as implementing a robust and immediate action plan for improvement. 

“The care provided at the home was certainly not reflective of MHA’s other homes, as we have one of the highest inspection ratings in the sector, with 90% of our homes rated as Good or Outstanding. Our last Inadequate rating was five years ago.

“We have agreed with CQC a robust action plan which addresses all the issues raised by them. Additional management is in place in the home to support the staff team, along with specialist and clinical roles from our head office, to make sure the home is brought back up to the standards we expect of all our care homes.”