A damning report has criticised serious failings at a nursing home.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have issued three formal warnings to Hazelgrove Nursing Home in Brighton requiring urgent improvements to meet national standards.

The warnings are about ensuring people get safe and appropriate care, staffing levels and staff training and supervision.

Inspectors also found residents were at risk of dehydration and not getting adequate nutrition.

They were not cared for, or supported by, suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

Brighton and Hove City Council has stopped placing people in the privately run home while an action plan is put in place by its owners.

The home in Heath Hill Avenue had 32 residents aged 65 and over at the time of the routine visit in May this year.

Inspectors saw an agitated resident with dementia not being helped for 90 minutes.

Some residents were also left in their bedrooms while others felt they had nothing to do but watch TV.

Inspectors also saw a resident left in a position which put them at risk of breaking their bones.

The report also found staff feared losing their jobs if they brought things up.

The inspectors’ report stated: “People who used the service, their relatives and staff all told us that at times there were not enough staff on duty to make sure that people were cared for safely.”

The inspectors found staff turnover was high and there were several staff vacancies.

A spokesman for the home said: “We are working very closely with Brighton and Hove City Council and the CQC on these matters.”

The CQC has asked the home’s owners to show how they intend to carry out improvements and a follow up inspection will be held.

The CQC has the power to suspend or cancel the home’s registration if it feels standards do not improve.

A council spokesman said: “We are very aware of the concerns that have been raised at Hazelgrove and have refrained from making new placements there since the middle of May.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation, and are working closely with the CQC, the local NHS and the home itself to help ensure that the action plan is carried out.”

The home had its Brighton and Hove City Council contract suspended for four months from December 2011 to March 2012 after concerns were raised over its management and standards.