A BRADFORD care home is out of special measures but still has to improve, say national care watchdogs.

Sunningdale Care Home, in Heaton, was ranked inadequate in a report published in March this year by Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors who visited the 41-bed home in North Park Road.

They found medicines were not managed safely, that care records were not always accurate and the home was not always well-led,but this week a follow-up report found there had been sufficient changes to avoid the home possibly being shut down.

The report said: “A number of positive improvements had been made to the quality assurance systems and, whilst further improvements were needed, the manager demonstrated a positive and committed attitude to ensure the changes which had been made were sustained and built upon.

“We found the improvements made were sufficient to meet with the requirements of the warning notices and requirement notices made at the last inspection.

“Whilst further improvements are needed we found the service to be compliant with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.”

Owner David Crabtree told the Telegraph & Argus staff had worked tirelessly to make improvements since the last report and Bradford Council had been supportive.

“We continue to go forwards and hope to get a ‘good’ next time, specialising in dementia mapping and bringing in other agencies to up our quality even more,” he said.

Mr Crabtree said the required improvement ranking had been down to a technicality and a deprivation-of-liberty order for one of its residents that was two days out of date.

Meanwhile, Regency Court at Thwaites House Farm, Keighley, also received a ‘requires improvement’ ranking. Inspectors noted animals from the home’s petting zoo had access to the residents’ smoking shelter, taking away people’s personal choice of whether they wanted to spend time with the animals or not.

However, they also found there were enough staff on duty to make sure people were safe and got the care and support they needed and that overall the building was clean and tidy with no unpleasant odours.

Vicky Thompson, its registered manager, said: “We are happy with the fact that our most recent report continues to reflect the positive changes and future plans which have enabled us to be rated with three good outcomes.”

Hollycroft Care Home, in Ilkley, was found to be good at caring but needed to improve at being safe, effective, responsive and well-led.

No comment was available from Ringdane Ltd, which runs Hollycroft.