A WATCHDOG which slated a York care home earlier this year over standards of cleanliness now says it has carried out a series of improvements.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC, which criticised cleanliness and infection control when it carried out an inspection at Birchlands Care Home, Haxby, in February, says it has responded to such concerns and taken action to address them.

It said in a report, published following an inspection on April 30, that improvements had been made which helped to minimise the risk and spread of infection.

Records were also in place detailing how people should be cared for, which were stored securely.

"People were supported by kind and attentive staff," said the report. "People told us that they were well cared for. People commented, "I am alright here. Well cared for." We observed staff speaking kindly to people and saw them providing care in a calm and dignified manner."

The CQC warned last year that the home was failing to meet national standards or to protect residents’ welfare and safety, and issued a formal warning to Mimosa Healthcare (No 4) Ltd, the home’s registered provider, giving it a deadline to improve.

In March, The Press reported that Mimosa, which also owned Moorlands care home at Strensall, had gone into administration after being badly affected by the difficult economic climate and reduced occupancy levels.

BDO LLP business restructuring partners, Kerry Bailey and Sarah Rayment, who had been appointed joint administrators, said they would continue trading the company via licensed agents with a view to effecting a sale as a going concern.

The following month, we reported that City of York Council had suspended placing any more people the home after a former member of staff alleged a frail female resident had been restrained by being wrapped in a sheet by a member of staff, contrary to safeguarding procedures.

The latest CQC report said quality management systems were in the early stages of development as the service was currently being overseen by a management company who had been instructed by the administrators.