A Workington care home has been criticised for the way it manages its medicine.

Government inspectors made an unannounced visit to Rosecroft Residential Home, run by Stilecroft Ltd,  in in April, and their report has now been published.

While three areas have improved since the last Care Quality Commission inspection to be given the grading "good", two others still require improvement.

The previous inspection, carried out nearly 12 months ago, found the service to be in breach of the regulations relating to medicines and record-keeping. 

And although some improvements have been made since then, the report said the management of medicine was "not safe".

Inspectors found: 

  • Medicines not being given to residents after food which resulted in them being ineffective

  • Medicines not kept safely, as the medicines fridge was too cold for some medication.

  • Residents’ care plans being poor or not followed

  • Errors in the administration record

  • Wrong doses of a blood-thinning medicine administered four times in the previous five weeks

Protocols for the administration of “when required” medicines and care plans relating to the management of medicines and medical conditions were poor or not followed, said inspectors.

They said: “For example, the care plans for managing a diabetic who took insulin said that they must have tea and yoghurt after their insulin.

“However, on the day of the inspection we found that the resident did not receive this until an hour-and-a-half after they had their insulin.

"Instructions on the prescribed insulin stated that people should have a meal or snack within 10 minutes of an injection to prevent low blood sugars.”

However, inspectors praised the quality of food and found that staff were caring, friendly and well trained to support people living independently.

A new manager had been in post for just two days when inspectors visited and improvements were evident. 

Chandler Warren-Gray, managing director of Stilecroft Limited, said: “We are immensely proud of Rosecroft Residential Home and we are delighted that the latest commission report reflects the hard work, commitment and dedication from staff members and group management.

“We continue to work closely with the authorities and care providers in order to continue delivering the highest possible standards of care.”