A NORTH Yorkshire care home has been asked to make urgent improvements.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has formally warned Orchard Care Homes.com Limited that that it must make urgent improvements at Sowerby House in Thirsk.

The warning follows an unannounced visit by inspectors in September when it was found the home was failing to provide care which was safe, effective, caring, responsive or well-led.

And all seven of the national standards reviewed by the inspection team were not met.

The CQC issued three warning notices requiring the provider to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents.

They found the individual wishes of people living at the home were not always considered in the planning and delivery of care and relatives raised concerns with inspectors that standards had deteriorated. Residents had to wait for long periods of time for help and support; some told inspectors that they could wait between 30 to 40 minutes before call bells were answered.

Other concerns were raised over staff’s inconsistent knowledge of safeguarding procedures, poor cleanliness, and incidents that had not been reported to CQC.