A RESIDENTIAL care home for the elderly in Royton has been ordered by the Care Quality Commission to improve following an inspection in September.

Royley House at Lea View, which accommodated 38 people at the time of the visit by the CQC, "consistently failed to ensure safe and effective governance of the service" according to the report by the CQC.

The rating was the fourth consecutive overall rating of "requires improvement".

It said that although audit systems and processes had been established, the provide had not ensured they were robust enough to operate effectively to ensure compliance with regulations.

The report went on: "Mandatory training was not up-to-date for all staff and we found gaps in staff training.

"We found concerns regarding the safe management and administration of medicines.

"Improvements were needed to the décor and we have made a recommendation to make the home more dementia friendly."

The CQC said there were good, established working partnerships with other healthcare professionals and residents received timely medical assistance where necessary.

Accidents and incidents were managed well, and action was taken to help lower future risks.

Feedback from people and their visitors told the inspection team which visited the home on September 17 and 18 they felt staff were caring and kind.

Observations showed people were treated with dignity and respect.

Care plans were very person-centred and reflected people's choice and preferences.

"Residents and their families received good end of life care from compassionate and caring staff," it continued.

"People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

"The registered manager was visible around the home. Our observations and feedback received, showed us the manager was approachable and keen to ensure people were happy living at Royley House."

At its last rating in October, 2018 the CQC found one breach of regulations.

The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what it would do to improve and by when.

But the latest report went on: "At this inspection enough not improvement had been made and the provider was still in breach of regulations. This service has been rated requires improvement for the last four consecutive inspections."

The CQC said the inspection was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

It added: "We have identified breaches in relation to the safe management of medicines, staff training and good governance of the service.

"We will meet with the provider following this report being published to discuss how they will make changes to ensure they improve their rating to at least good. We will work with the local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner."

The home was judged to require improvement in three areas of assessment - safety, effectiveness and leadership. It was judged to be "good" in categories for caring and responsiveness.