A NURSING home in Bromsgrove has been put into special measures and could face closure after a surprise inspection found that elderly residents were "at risk of injury" and infections.

St George's Nursing Home in Old Station Road was found to be "unclean and unhygienic" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in April, and has been rated "inadequate" in a report published last month.

Inspectors found the service to be unsafe, with an unclean environment and equipment, and stated that residents' nutrition and hydration needs were not always being reliably monitored.

The CQC spoke with seven of the 19 residents during its visit, who apparently gave mixed views about whether they felt safe.

Inspectors also claimed to have witnessed an employee carrying used needles around the home, before failing to discard them safely.

Furniture, crockery and food trolleys were seen to be "dirty" and the report describes toilet frames and seats "soiled with brown matter and urine".

Despite a previous infectious outbreak at the home, inspectors said staff did not always wash their hands with soap between tasks.

Some residents complained they had not been out for a long time, with one person claiming they had not been out beyond the home's garden since they moved there last year.

Residents did tell inspectors, however, that they were happy with the care they received, with one saying St George's was "the best care home in Britain".

Employees were found to use "effective communication skills" when dealing with those living at the home and were "discreet" when helping residents with personal care needs.

As a result of the inspection, restrictions were imposed on the home, which can accommodate up to 43 residents, meaning that it cannot currently accept further admissions.

Raj Gokhool, operations manager for Aster Healthcare Ltd, which runs the home, said the "shortfalls have now been addressed", but added that the home will be forced close if the admission restriction is not lifted.

He said: "We have put effective systems in place to ensure that we sustain the changes made within the day to day operation of the home. We have in place robust auditing tools that will ensure the systems in place would be embedded in the culture within the home.

"We are confident that the care and welfare of the residents at St George’s Nursing Home are not being compromised and the services being provided are safe, caring and effective. Above all our residents are treated with dignity and have a voice within the home."

Despite this, St George’s staff were told at an emergency meeting on Monday that the home could face closure by January 15.

The meeting was held just days after the CQC conducted a follow-up inspection on November 29.

The results of the inspection have not yet been published.