A WATCHDOG has taken enforcement action against a York care home over its “unsafe” management of residents’ medicines.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) says it has served a warning notice to Limetree House in Poppleton to ensure it protects the health, safety and welfare of its 27 elderly residents.

A commission report says a pharmacist inspector visited the home on November 26 after concerns had initially been raised over medication management and also cleanliness during an inspection last summer.

The inspector found people were still not protected against the risks associated with the unsafe use and management of medicines.

In a report, it said: “We looked at records and medication for 11 of the 27 people who were living in the home and found there were some concerns about medicines or the records relating to medicines for all of those people.”

The report says the inspector discovered:

• Two tablets under seat cushions in bedrooms and another left on a table in front of a resident

• Staff did not always record the date medicines were opened, putting people at risk of being given medicines which were out of date.

• A medicines trolley was left unattended with doors open during medication rounds

• Two residents had run out of some of their prescribed medicines

• Poor records meant not all medication could be accounted for.

The CQC said it had referred its findings to City of York Council and would check to make sure action was taken to meet essential standards.

It added that the home was now much cleaner than at its previous visit, with new furniture, bedding and furnishings provided, and it met cleanliness and infection control standards.

Gary Brittain, Commissioning and Contracts Manager at City of York Council, said it was supporting Limetree House to improve services and comply with statutory regulations and best practice through a co-ordinated improvement plan.

Care home manager Marie Whitelock said: “There were real difficulties on the day of the inspection, but that’s no excuse.”

She said a series of steps had been taken to address the CQC’s concerns. “We have made significant changes to our stocking systems, and changed our pharmacy, which will help us to keep control of medicines,” she said.

“We have new care and medication plans in place and hopefully, when the inspector calls on the next, unannounced inspection, everything will be found to be satisfactory.”