A care home where soiled clothes were carried through the kitchen has been issued formal warnings by the industry watchdog.
Alma Lodge Care Home in Eastbourne, which provides residential care for up to 14 people, was rated as 'requires improvement' in the latest check-up from the CQC.
It has been issued three warning notices after inspectors found it was failing to meet legal regulations related to safe care, staffing, and governance in a report published on 9 March.
The service caters for older people with physical health needs, including 10 current residents, some of whom are living with dementia.
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The care home received 'good' ratings for being caring and responsive, and it was found that staff supported people’s cultural and spiritual needs.
Staffing levels were highlighted as a significant concern, with the report noting that there were not enough staff deployed to meet residents’ health and social needs.
It revealed not only a lack of qualified staff but also the absence of additional staff to manage cleaning, cooking, and maintenance duties, leading to hygiene concerns within the premises.
Due to the shortage, care staff are also tasked with these housekeeping duties, drawing them away from their primary responsibility of caring for the residents.
The report said: "We observed staff going to the laundry with soiled clothes, through the kitchen.
"We did not see staff use red bags or a covered trolley to contain dirty clothes and linen.
"Staff also told us there were no red bags in use, and therefore soiled clothes/linens were washed with other items."
The report found that shortages also meant that care and support is often rushed, crucial tasks are delayed, and residents are left unattended for significant periods.
One resident relayed that they had to wait more than half an hour in the morning for assistance due to staff shortages.
During the hours of 6pm to 8pm, there was only one staff member on duty to care for 10 individuals.
Inspectors identified several concerns at their February visit, including one individual gaining 13 kilograms since their last recorded weighing in September 2025.
This was despite nutritional risk assessments highlighting the need for weight reduction and weekly weighing.
The report said this 'would have a direct negative impact on the persons’ health'.
Some products in the emergency first aid kit was found to be out of date by up to four years, and the report found there was no evidence that first aid boxes were checked regularly.
Inspectors also found that people’s safety was not consistently considered, with risks not managed proactively.
Care plans and risk assessments were found to be insufficient, some of which were reportedly missing from the home entirely, according to the report.
This included incomplete care plans for individuals with diagnosed mental health conditions, leaving staff with no guidance on managing changes in mental health or dealing with medical events such as unexpected collapses.
The report demonstrated that several communal areas were in need of deep cleaning and repairs, including some kitchen equipment which was "heavily coated in dust and grease."
There had been issues with the lift that had been on-going for approximately five months.
In the report, it said: "One person had missed health appointments due to this.
"The registered manager explained that there had been works undertaken on the lift, but these were on-going as the fuses blew quite regularly."
The provider took immediate action to make improvements where issues had the potential to impact on safe outcomes for people.
Residents had mixed opinions of staff.
One resident said: “Staff are very kind and helpful", whereas another said: “There are not enough staff, I have had to wait in the morning for over half an hour.”
Compared with the previous inspection, medicine handling had improved.
Alma Lodge Care Home were approached but declined to comment.
