Users of a Clevedon-based home care service were ‘put at risk’, says the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Following an inspection carried out on January 13 and 14, Brunelcare Domiciliary Care Services North Somerset was found to require improvement by the healthcare watchdog.

The service missed eight calls in the three months prior to the CQC’s visit although this number has been reduced since new systems have been put in place.

Inspectors said: “The service was mostly safe but people had been put at risk by calls being missed.”

No-one however was harmed by the missed calls.

The report, which has just been published, also said the service’s records did not show assessments of users’ capacity to make their own decisions about their care – or requirement to have them made in their best interests – had been made.

However the care given by the service was described as ‘wonderful’ and that ‘people were relaxed and comfortable with staff.’

The service’s leadership was also praised with the report highlighting how ‘the registered manager referred to the staff with respect and valued the skills and experience evident within the team.”

Carolyn Mills, operations manager, said: “We are proud and encouraged that we have been rated by the CQC as good for the caring, responsive and well led aspects of our service.

“We are pleased to have received such positive comments from our customers and staff that were quoted within the inspection report.

“We know our service is also safe and effective but acknowledge the report highlights a couple of specific areas that require improvement, all of which have been implemented.”