A SOUTH East Cornwall Nursing Home has been told to take action to improve some of its standards after an unannounced inspection was carried out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

St Theresa's Nursing Home at Callington currently has 36 elderly people in its care. It was inspected within days of the CQC – and others, including Cornwall Council and South East Cornwall MP Sheryll Murray – receiving an anonymous letter raising concerns which included poor staffing levels.

In its report, which has just been published, the CQC says that its inspector found that people's choices, privacy, dignity and independence were not always respected at St Theresa's.

The inspector also stated that the care provider, Morleigh Ltd, has not been meeting the standard by which supporting workers should be properly trained and supervised and have the chance to develop and improve their skills.

The report states: 'People were cared for by staff who were not always supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard.'

The CQC added that their findings where standards have not been met have been judged to have had a minor impact on people who use the service, and Morleigh Ltd, has been told to take action to make improvements.

Morleigh Ltd was also required to send the CQC a report by December 25 setting out the action it would be taking to remedy the areas of concern and the CQC said this would be checked.

However, the CQC added that St Theresa's was judged to have met the required standards on staffing, cleanliness and infection control, as well as on the care and welfare of people who use its services.