FAECES-STAINED sheets and an overpowering stench of urine were found at a care home during an unannounced inspection.

The report into Lever Edge Care Home has just been published and reveals damning conditions in the first-floor Turton unit where people living with dementia are cared for.

The care home came under fire in 2016 when staff were found to have covered up the death of a resident. Ronald Dean, aged 86, was placed back in his bed by staff who were found guilty of obstructing the coroner at Bolton Crown Court.

The report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said: “On entering the Turton unit the stench of urine was overpowering.”

It said: “Some duvets had no quilt covers on and were very stained with dried urine and on removing the quilt we found that the bottom sheet was dirty with faeces.”

The inspectors questioned the managers about the dirty beds and were told they had not spotted them.

The care home in Lever Edge Lane, Great Lever is run by Hill Care, which has 37 care homes across the country.

A spokesman for the home said they were “disappointed” by the results of the inspection and were working to improve.

The service was rated as inadequate or requires improvement in every area it was inspected in, giving it an overall rating of inadequate, the lowest rating.

As a result the CQC has placed the care home in special measures and will be inspected again within six months. If improvements have not been made by that time the home could have its registration cancelled.

Some residents were found to be "unkempt" with unbrushed, greasy hair and clothing "covered in dried food". One resident was still wearing her pyjamas in the afternoon.

The inspectors found some residents with "extremely dirty finger nails". The report said: "One relative told us they didn't feel confident to mention this to staff and had done their relative's finger nails discreetly because they felt embarrassed."

The CQC report found people were left unsupervised and often there were no planned activities. Inspectors did witness staff put some music on and give residents musical instruments but noted "this appeared more for the inspectors' benefit rather than the people living at the home".

Inspectors also heard anecdotal evidence of "fights" between residents and complaints that food which was pureed was "slop".

The report found haphazard medicine management. Problems included gaps in records and instructions not being followed.

One patient had not been given the right does of blood thinners for two days during a two-week period. Inspectors said this meant an "increased risk of a blood clot".

Inspectors found antibiotic eyedrops had not been given in line with instructions and a person at risk of choking did not have records to show if their liquids were thickened correctly.

The report did note positive comments from family members, one saying: "The care is very good."

Another said: "When you are upset, staff do realise it and they are very supportive."

One relative called the staff "angels".

Care on other units, Rivington and Smithills, was not singled out in the same way as the care on the Turton unit.

A spokesman for the care home said: “We are deeply disappointed by the recent CQC inspection report and have taken immediate action to investigate and address the issues raised.

“We have been working closely with the CQC and Bolton Council Quality Assurance and Improvement team to conduct a thorough review of our services and have submitted a detailed action plan of improvements.

“We have also contacted our residents and their families about the report but would like to reiterate and reassure them and the local community that our highest priority is providing a safe, comfortable and caring environment for those who reside with us.”

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: “We are aware of the CQC report and have already been working with the provider to ensure standards rapidly improve.”