MEDICATION at a care home was stored at an unsafe temperature and a resident was left struggling to eat according to a critical inspection report.

Castle Bank Residential Home in Tow Law, County Durham, received an overall rating of ‘requires improvement’ from the Care Quality Commission and safety was judged to be ‘inadequate.’

However, Daniel Squibb, managing director of the X9 Healthcare-owned home, has challenged some of the findings and said many of the issues had already been resolved.

During the unannounced inspection on March 3, a temperature of 28 degrees was recorded in the medication store - three degrees above the safe range.

In a report, published last week, the inspector said: “Extreme temperature (hot and cold) or excessive moisture causes deterioration of medicines and some are more susceptible than others. The appearance of the medicine may not change even though it may not be effective any more. In some cases, it may harm the person who takes it.”

Mr Squibb has questioned the reading and also disputes claims he has insufficient knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

The report also highlighted how one patient who was meant to be weighed weekly had only been weighed once in the last month, while another had only been weighed twice, putting them at risk of malnutrition.

Follow up tests for the waterborne infection legionella had not been carried out, and medication records were inaccurate and did not follow best practise.

Care plans, meanwhile, were described as “disorganised and confusing with a lot of out of date information.”

Staffing during meals was found to be insufficient at times, with people requiring assistance to eat left alone to struggle.

Mr Squibb stressed that Castle Bank was committed to resident safety and care. He said the follow up test for legionella had now been carried out and no risk had been found.

He claimed the people requiring weekly weigh-ins had been weighed but this had not been recorded, adding: “Care plans have been slightly more disorganised then we would have liked, but this has been changed.”

With regards to the person struggling to eat, Mr Squibb said the resident got upset when staff tried to help.

The inspector also made many positive observations in the report. Residents were found to be well supported to maintain and improve their independence, and staff were praised for the “individualised care” they provided.

The home was clean and tidy and a good choice of healthy meals were served.

Accidents and incidents were monitored each month and were few in number. Staff reported receiving regular training and said they felt confident in whistle blowing.

Relatives were full of praise and the residents spoken to said they felt safe and were kept informed. One said: “Staff are lovely. I am happy and I have never said I want to go home.”