MANAGERS at a care home for the disabled have been told they must improve how they handle patients' medication or face legal consequences.
An unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – the independent regulator for health and adult social care in England – reported that a medication trolley at The Marillac was left "unattended and unlocked," meaning drugs could have been taken by passers-by.
The inspection, on October 25, also found it was possible that the wrong tablets could be given to patients, because pills were "decanted in bulk", rather that through individual prescriptions.
A report produced after the CQC visit said care home records showed medicines had been given to patients when they had not, and medicines refrigerated in two of the centre's units may be ineffective because they were being stored at too high a temperature.
Andrea Gordon, deputy director of operations (regions) at CQC, said the report "sends a clear message" to The Marillac bosses that action must be taken or they could "face further consequences".
She added: "Our inspectors will return in the near future.
"If we find that the required progress is not made, we won't hesitate to use our legal powers to protect the people who use this service."
In October 2011, the 50-bed Eagle Way home, which cares for people with physical and neurological disabilities, was adjudged to meet "essential" standards by CQC, although even then recommendations were made that action should be taken to ensure fridge temperatures were properly monitored.
The Trustees of The Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, a Roman Catholic organisation which runs the home, said an "immediate" action plan had been compiled to tackle the problems.
A spokesman said: "A draft action plan has immediately been put in place to rectify the shortcomings identified in the inspection, and forwarded to CQC."
"A detailed investigation is now in process, as a matter of urgency, to identify any underlying circumstances that led to these shortcomings.
"This will result in a robust action plan which will be fully implemented, closely monitored and communicated to CQC.
"The trustees can confirm that a further inspection has been carried out with a positive informal feedback which is still to be officially confirmed by the CQC.
"Meanwhile, the wellbeing of each resident and continuing provision of excellent care remains the driving force of trustees and staff in Marillac Care."
CQC has powers to restrict, suspend or cancel a service provided by a care home, issue fines, or prosecute the provider for failing to meet essential standards.
The full report from the CQC is expected to be published shortly.
