A CARE home branded inadequate for breaching regulations will remain in special measures following a return visit by health watchdogs.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said the step is being taken at St Mary’s Care Home, Chester-le-Street, to protect people after it was rated inadequate following inspections in May and June.

The unannounced inspections were scheduled to check on progress made to deal with concerns identified at the time of a previous inspection, in September 2015.

They found the home, which provides accommodation for people who require nursing or personal care, had not taken necessary improvement action.

Debbie Westhead, Deputy Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care in the North, said: “People are entitled to services which provide safe, effective, compassionate and well-led high quality care.

“We found the care provided at St Mary’s Care Home fell a long way short of the standards we expect services to provide.

“We are deeply concerned that despite a number of requirements for improvement made during our last inspection, these had not been acted upon, placing people at risk of harm, and continuing to let people down. This must not continue.

“We are now taking further action to protect people and we will report on this when the legal process is complete.

Although management said afternoon activities were provided, inspectors saw staff put a film on television for people who were then left unsupervised.

Inspectors found staff were not deployed to provide appropriate supervision of people, while medicines charts did not give guidance to staff about their application.

Risk assessments were not completed accurately and there was insufficient staff to meet people’s needs, according to the report.

However, the report found staff demonstrated they cared for people and inspectors observed staff acting with kindness.

The care home, run by Carewell Healthcare Ltd, said there was no-one available for comment.