A NURSING home had dirty commodes, toilets that would not flush and overflowing bins while staff were using portable heaters to keep the place warm, says a damning watchdog report.

Severn Heights Nursing Home in Callow End failed to meet three out of 16 essential standards set by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

It was reported in February that Worcestershire County Council had been forced to find alternative accommodation for 19 residents after Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service found “serious deficiencies” that put lives at risk in the home.

Severn Heights remains unoccupied while the providers carry out improvements to address shortfalls found by the fire service.

A CQC inspector visited the home in December 2010. The report was published on Monday.

In the area of ‘cleanliness and infection control’ the CQC inspector found that people living at the home were at risk because of a lack of effective infection control procedures. Risks included toilets that would not flush, soiled dressings, dirty commodes and overflowing bins.

In the area of ‘safety and suitability of premises’ staff were using portable heaters to keep the home warm.

Water was too hot in places and the cold water supply lacked pressure.

The inspector also found medicine left unsecured in an open office.

In the area of ‘safety, availability and suitability of equipment’ the inspector found portable heaters, portable hoists and lifting equipment over two baths had not always been checked or serviced when they should have been.

CQC regional director Andrea Gordon said: “The quality and safety of care we found at this home simply wasn’t good enough.

“The home’s owners understand how seriously we take these issues and our determination to make sure they comply with essential standards of quality and safety.

“The home has told us that it has carried out improvements to address the failings our report identified. We will make another visit in the near future to check that the home is meeting essential standards.”

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said: “Social workers have visited all the residents in their new temporary placements to check on their welfare. Until the necessary improvements to Severn Heights have been made by the owners and checked by the authorities, the residents will be continuing in their temporary placements.”