A CARE home in Latchford has been ordered to improve after inspectors found that keys to medicine cabinets were left where residents could access them and proper checks were not carried out on new employees.

Belong Warrington Care Village, on Loushers Lane, was subjected to an unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission in December.

But the home, which can house up to 72 people, was told to improve after inspectors found a total of three breaches of health and social care regulations.

Medicines in Belong Warrington Care Village were 'not always managed safely', with one resident having missed their medication a few days prior to the CQC's visit.

This had not been picked up on by staff, while changes had not been made to this person's prescription despite this having been recommended by a dietician four weeks previously.

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The CQC said that this had caused the resident to lose weight and put them 'at an increased risk of malnutrition'.

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Inspectors also noted two occasions where keys had been left out unsafely in the care home and a kitchen area.

Staff were also 'not always recruited safely', with the provider not exploring the full employment history of job applicants.

The care home's manager 'did not have complete oversight' of audits and incident logs - with two incidents of physical aggression between resident having not been documented.

But residents did tell inspectors that 'felt safe and happy', while 'many examples of kind, caring and meaningful interactions' were observed.

The care home itself was also 'warm, welcoming and homely'.

Stacey McCann, chief operating officer at Belong, said: "As our care villages are generally rated either outstanding or good, it is disappointing to hear of the CQC's latest inspection of Warrington and we have already put in place procedures to address the issues identified.

"While we are not complacent about the gaps found in some procedures, CQC inspectors nonetheless highlighted many positive findings and examples of best practices - particularly in relation to the direct provision of quality care.

"Our good practices for risk assessment and safeguarding were noted, and there was evidence that our staff members are well-trained and understanding of the needs of customers.

"Inspectors also reported that our staff levels are appropriate to enable them to spend quality time with residents and ensure a safe, caring environment within which they provide companionship and meaningful interaction.

"We know from the report that our households are viewed as warm, welcoming and homely with a variety of activities for residents.

"But despite these very positive elements of the report, we take the change to our rating very seriously and are working hard to improve our systems and ensure a positive outcome to future inspections."