Health chiefs have vowed to improve conditions at a Suffolk care home after inspectors issued a damning report urging them to take action.

Just a few months after opening under new leadership, Lehmann House in Wickham Market has been placed in special measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after visits in April and May.

Fire safety risks and people not getting enough food or drink were among serious issues staff are being urged to address in the resulting examiners’ report.

Assessors found staffing levels were insufficient to meet people’s individual needs, there were shortfalls in knowledge about dementia and only one fire drill had been carried out in a six month period.

“Risks to people’s health and welfare were not identified and mitigate,” inspectors wrote in the report.“Not all people were being effectively monitored and supported by staff to ensure they were given enough to eat or drink.”

Now bosses at the care home have said the welfare of residents remains their primary focus.

Lehmann House director Sunny Sandhu, of the DeVere Care Group, said: “We are working very closely with Suffolk County Council to address all findings and aspects of the challenges identified by the recent CQC inspection report.

“Unfortunately, the inspection occurred at a difficult and challenging time for Lehmann House which only recently opened under us as new owners and care delivery is in a period of transition. As per the report, a new management structure is now in place as well as recruitment, training, safety assessments and other components in a recovery action plan is already underway to ensure it is fully compliant with all requirements of the CQC going forward. The welfare, well-being and high-quality care of our residents as always remains our primary focus.

“We are taking steps and measures for them to receive the best possible care which is paramount to our actions. We will continue to work to ensure all aspects raised in the CQC report are addressed. Both residents and relatives have been informed and they continue to place their trust in us, and all our staff are fully committed to achieving full regulatory compliance and aim to achieve ‘higher’ quality ratings.”

Chiefs will be asking authorities for a re-inspection once improvements are made.