A care home that was deemed ‘dirty and unhygienic’ with ‘odours in communal areas and bedrooms’ and ‘soiled sheets’, has been taken out of special measures.

Sandybrook Care Home in Lower Darwen was rated inadequate and placed under review back in January, when the Care Quality Commission noted it had breached regulations multiple times.

It was kept under review for six months and on a return visit in August, inspectors found improvements had been made and moved the care home, which provides accommodation for people who require nursing or personal care, as well as those with dementia, out of special measures rating it 'requires improvement'.

The previous inspection report stated one staff member had told the inspectors that there was an issue with a person urinating in a bedroom but it had remained in place despite someone else living there.

There were also issues with the windows being ‘very unclean throughout the building’ and ‘some beds had been made despite having soiled sheets’.

However, in the latest report published at the end of September, inspectors noted: “During this inspection, the provider demonstrated that improvements had been made in ‘safe’ and ‘well-led’ categories.

“The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall, or in any of the key questions.”

The report added: “At our last inspection, the registered manager and provider failed to ensure appropriate hygiene standards were maintained.

“This was a continued breach of regulation 15 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

“Following our latest inspection enough improvement had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of the regulations.

“All areas of the home were clean and fresh smelling, and areas noted at the last inspection had been addressed.”