A CARE home which was banned from new admissions after care inspectors found residents living in shocking conditions is being allowed to take on new clients.

Tranent Care Home was placed under an embargo after an unannounced visit by the inspectors last summer found residents unkempt and wandering aimlessly in the corridors.

Their damning report revealed some bedbound residents were forced to eat with their fingers after being served food with no cutlery, while others who needed assistance cutting food or eating were ignored.

Broken equipment and windows were reported, while residents were found wearing soiled clothing and clothes which food had been spilled on, and personal hygiene was below acceptable standards.

Conditions in the 60-bed home, which was mainly occupied by East Lothian Council-funded residents, were described by one former member of staff as “worse than a third world country”.

East Lothian Council suspended any new admissions to the home following the inspection in May last year.

Inspectors from the Care Inspectorate returned to the home to carry out a series of spot checks in October and found improvements had been introduced, from staff training, numbers and the general cleanliness of the facility.

They said they had met with residents who were able to express their views on the home and received generally good comments about their experiences and relations with staff.

Relatives of people who lived at the home praised how hard staff had worked to improve conditions.

One relative was quoted as saying: “They’ve had a real kick-up. Things are noticeably better... certainly the smells.”

While another added: “I can see improvements. There is more happening and it looks better.”

East Lothian Council this week confirmed that it was now allowing new residents to be admitted to the care home on a gradual basis.

A spokesperson said: “The East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership and its partners agree with the Care Inspectorate that the situation at Tranent Care Home has improved markedly.

“The home is now able to take new admissions on a managed basis of one new resident a week for the time being, allowing new procedures to bed in and good practice to flourish.”

HC-One, which runs the home, said it was grateful for the support given following the damning report.

A spokesman said: “We are delighted the council has recognised our dedication to providing the kindest care to our residents.

“Immediately following the inspection we put in place a detailed and robust action plan to improve standards, and we are very grateful for everyone’s support.

“The health and wellbeing of our residents is at the heart of everything we do, and we are 100 per cent focused on continuing to deliver the kindest care.”

The Care Inspectorate said it would be revisiting the home in March for a follow-up report.