An 'unsafe' and 'deteriorating' nursing home where elderly people were left without medication has been slammed by the care watchdog.
Warren Park in Blundellsands provides nursing care to around 40 residents aged 65 and over - and when inspectors visited on June 25 and 26 they found people were 'not safe' and 'at risk of avoidable harm'.
In its report, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) repeatedly makes reference to 'deteriorating' services at the facility - which has now been rated 'inadequate.'
The report goes on to say medicines were 'still not safely managed' and that this is the third time Warren Park managers have been in breach of safety regulations regarding medication.
Inspectors said: "People were left without medication due to no stock being in the home, this included mental health medicines and medicines used to thin a person's blood to prevent clots.
"People did not always receive their medication on time, some medication was stored unsecured in people's rooms.
"Time specific medicines for Parkinson's Disease were not given at the correct times. This led to an increased risk of Parkinson's Disease symptoms being uncontrolled."
Inspectors spoke with six people who used the service and two relatives.
Some people felt there were not enough staff, especially during the busy morning and evening time.
One person said: "There's not enough staff. If I ring my bell I'm waiting a long time. It's worse at night."
However the report says the inspection found 'no concerns' with the level of staffing during their observations, and said safe recruitment processes were in place.
One resident said: "I feel very safe here, I know staff are here" - but inspectors found further improvements were needed to ensure people received 'high quality, safe, effective and responsive care.'
The report says rooms containing hazardous substances that were potentially harmful to people were left open, and there were some 'malodours present in parts of the home.'
People's needs, it goes on to say, were not always met and there was contradictory information in a number of people's care plans.
Warren Park director Jonathan Lysaght said: "We are very disappointed by the CQC inspection report which while highlighting some failures, we feel does not reflect the many positive elements of the home evidenced during the inspection, nor the responsive action taken prior to the inspection finishing to rectify one of the concerns.
"However, we have been working hard and feel confident that improvements such as automated door locks, daily medication audits and extra staffing resources have rectified the issues identified during the inspection.
"We look forward to welcoming the CQC on their return at which time we’re confident that the improvements will be evidenced."
