A care home in Radlett where patients "frequently urinated in the corridors" and correct medical procedures were not always followed has improved but there is "still some work to be done", a report revealed last month.

Houndswood House Care Home, in Harper Lane, was told by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in October that it needed to improve after it failed to meet the minimum standard of care, and five of eight inspected areas of care fell under ‘action needed’.

One area of care met standards and the final two fell below requirements forcing the CQC to take ‘enforcement action’ and issue a warning notice.

Findings from the inspection in August found that patients' privacy, dignity and independence was not always respected, and noted an incident where a soiled incontinence pad that was left underneath the cushion of a resident's chair.

Along with reports of little interaction between staff and patients, the report found a "smell of urine throughout the home".

The report said: "We were told there were some individuals who frequently urinated in the corridors.

"This meant the person’s continence care was not managed appropriately."

Houndswood House provides accommodation for people with dementia and is separated into two units - Magnolia Lodge for people with dementia and Primrose House for people who require nursing care.

The most recent visit to the home on November 18 and 19 found that six of seven standards of care had been met, but the care and welfare of people who use the services still needed improvement.

The report said: "We found that the home had made significant improvements since the previous inspection, although there was still some work to be done. For example we found that the home was free from odours except for two bedrooms. We saw evidence that the rooms were cleaned regularly and that the home manager monitored this closely."

The care and welfare of people using the service was judged to have a "moderate impact on people who use the service" and the provider was told they need to take action by December 20.

The report said: "People did not always experience safe and appropriate care and support, this is because, care plans did not always contain sufficient and accurate information, and people were not always moved and handled following correct procedures."

Duane Lindsay, from Four Seasons Health Care, said: "The draft report, soon to be published acknowledged that significant improvements have been made.

"The inspectors recommended further improvements should be made in techniques for lifting or moving residents who required this assistance and that care plans should include more information to ensure staff could deliver optimum care.

"We are continuing to work closely with the CQC to deliver our comprehensive improvement plan and we await their next inspection of the home."