CRIES for help were repeatedly ignored at a Bracknell nursing home during a visit from care quality inspectors in April. 

The newly-published report into standards at Birdsgrove Nursing Home in Warfield Road explained how staff didn't respond to one resident in 'very obvious distress' at the home during a visit by three inspectors.

Their shouts of "please help me" and "help me please" were repeatedly ignored by staff and, when approached by inspectors, a staff member said they were too busy dealing with another resident to help.

Another person had been left lying in bed for hours waiting to be washed and dressed and told inspectors: "You have to get used to it here, it’s a routine."

The service was rated inadequate after the visit on April 16 and followed an unannounced inspection in February where inspectors found unsafe water temperatures were putting residents at risk of scalding as well as dirty bathrooms and kitchens. 

The follow-up visit to the home, which cares for 52 people, some with dementia, saw some improvements but found it still in breach of two legal requirements as people's care did not meet their needs and they were not protected from poor quality or unsafe services. 

Inspectors also found a cupboard full of hazardous substances unlocked.

They stated while there were some instances of staff being caring the report states there were 'many more' examples of people being treated without kindness and respect. 

Summarising, the report said: "Previous recommendations which had been made had been followed, including work on the passenger lift and replacement of equipment such as hoists and wheelchairs.

"A new call bell system had been installed to replace the faulty system. However, we found that three people had their call bells placed out of reach so were unable to summon help if the need arose.

"We observed some instances of care staff being and kind and caring, but there were many more examples of staff not treating people with kindness and respect. People’s care needs were not always met.

"Examples included people calling out for help and not being acknowledged, staff ignoring people when they entered a room and people not being supported to eat their meals in a caring way."

Two deaths at the home sparked a police investigation in February. 

Frances Norris died three days after being admitted to hospital after sustaining burns to her legs just a week after 86-year-old Florence Knight died after part of her room's ceiling collapsed on to her.

Raj Gokhool, operational manager at Aster Healthcare who run the home, said the report was not a current reflection of the service. 

He said: "We are now in August 2015 and we are confident that the contents and rating of the report is not a current reflection of Birdsgrove Nursing Home to date. We have invited the Care Quality Commission to carry a complete inspection for Birdsgrove Nursing Home but this has yet to take place.

"However you can rest assured that both the Senior Management Team, the New Manager and all staffs at Birdsgrove Nursing Home are ensuring that people in our care are safe and receiving the appropriate level of care and support."