‘Still not good enough’ is the verdict on under fire care home Mildenhall Lodge after its second Care Quality Commission report found it failed to ensure residents’ safety and welfare.

‘Still not good enough’ is the verdict on under fire care home Mildenhall Lodge after its second Care Quality Commission report found it failed to ensure residents’ safety and welfare.

The five-month-old home, owned by Care UK and commissioned by Suffolk County Council, was damned in a report published in September but, despite “some improvements”, concerns still remain.

Yesterday the company admitted it has further work to do but highlighted that it had made progress since the first inspection in July.

Staffing levels at the St Johns Close home were once again criticised in the report, which only looked at two out of the five standards judged by CQC.

The assessed standards were the care and welfare of service users, which still requires action, and the management of medicines, which the home passed.

The report raised concerns over the care of dementia patients but praised the improvements to diabetes care.

Andrew Knight, Care UK’s managing director for residential care, said: “As we have already acknowledged, this report demonstrates that we still have further work to do, but I do genuinely believe, as do CQC and Suffolk County Council, that we have made progress.”

A new management team joined the home two weeks ago, after the inspectors visited the site.

Mr Knight continued: “We accept that the care at Mildenhall Lodge fell below the high standard that residents and their families deserve.”

Leader of the Green and Independents on the county council, Mark Ereira-Guyer, was not pleased with the progress made.

He said: “There has been precious little development. It [the report] is a catalogue of failures still.”

He criticised staffing levels, claiming it was a result of Care UK’s attempts to “squeeze” profit out of the care of residents.

Alan Murray, cabinet member for health and adult care, said: “The report published today demonstrates that progress has been made, which is pleasing.

“We will continue to support and challenge Care UK to ensure they continue to improve.”

When challenged further on staffing levels by the EADT, a Care UK spokeswoman said: “We are confident that staffing levels at Mildenhall Lodge are maintained at the same ratio or better than those used previously at Wamil Court and that we have the right number of people to deliver a safe, caring service to the residents.”

Despite these claims, CQC inspectors witnessed staffing levels that could put residents “at risk”.

Care UK were unable to provide the number of care and nursing staff employed at the home since opening.