Safety at a Workington care home has been branded inadequate by a Government watchdog.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission raised concerns following an unannounced visit to Newlands.

They included failure to follow new procedures to manage choking incidents, introduced in January last year following a choking-related death in the home.

The inspection team found the use of bedrails in the Newlands Park home was not always managed safely, with three in use without bumper pads in place to prevent trapped limbs.

While medicines were appropriately stored and administered, the inspectors found stock records were not always completed, making auditing and stock checking difficult.

This was rectified immediately by the home manager, they said.

In the unit for frail elderly residents, the numbers of staff available at lunchtime meant some did not get their needs met in a timely manner, inspectors said.

The home has two other units - the Lakeland unit, which cares for men with complex mental health needs and dementia whose behaviour can be challenging, and the 12-bed Lonsdale unit for people with dementia.

In those two units the number of core staff available were not always sufficient and the shortfall was covered by agency staff.

Inspectors found that in the Lakeland unit there had been no designated management time set aside since the unit manager had taken over eight weeks earlier. Bosses said staffing levels had recently improved and management time could now be factored in.

The home’s effectiveness, responsiveness and leadership were all deemed to require improvement.

Consent to care and treatment was not always appropriately obtained, and the decision-making process followed for those not able to make choices for themselves was not always recorded consistently.

Records showed some staff had not completed refresher training within recommended time frames.

Residents were not always included in planning their own care where they were able, inspectors found. Care was said to be good, with staff working to maintain people’s privacy and dignity, and to promote independence. Residents and relatives inspectors spoke to praised the care and attentiveness of staff.

The home was praised for its freshly-cooked, hot and appetising-looking meals and its well-designed and spacious environment.

Bosses have been told to provide a report to the CQC outlining how it will address the safety concerns.

It was inspected in November.

A company spokesman said: “We take the findings of the Care Quality Commission very seriously and have already started to implement a comprehensive plan to address the issues raised.”