A HEALTHCARE watchdog has demanded immediate improvements at a nursing home after it emerged a patient went without prescribed medication for 12 days.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England, said Rosedale Nursing Home, in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, had failed to protect the safety and welfare of its residents, some of whom have dementia.

The formal warning follows an unannounced visit by inspectors to the Catterick Road home on November 7, after being alerted to concerns over care.

During the inspection, it was found the home, which provides palliative, day and respite care and nursing for up to 68 people and has recently reopened a dementia wing after a refurbishment, was failing to protect people in the recording, handling, administration and use of medicines.

A review of residents’ medication records revealed some people had not received their medication as prescribed because it was out of stock and had not been replenished in time to ensure a continued supply was available.

Since issuing the warning notice, CQC inspectors have received an action plan from Maria Mallaband Care Homes, the firm which runs the home as well as others in Ripon and Sedgefield, detailing how standards will improve.

The firm’s mission statement highlights its aim “to be the best quality, most highly regarded care provider in the UK”.

Malcolm Bower-Brown, CQC’s director in the North, said: "The law sets out national standards that everyone who uses services should be able to expect.

"Providers have a duty to ensure they meet these standards. “This warning sends a clear and public message that Maria Mallaband Care Homes Limited need to address these issues as a matter of urgency or face serious consequences.

“Our inspectors will return to the home in the near future and if we find that the provider is not making the required progress we won’t hesitate to use our legal powers to ensure residents are receiving the service they are entitled to expect.”

A spokeswoman for the care home said: “Senior managers are supporting staff at Rosedale care home in order to ensure that the necessary improvements are made and sustained.

“We are confident that we have made the necessary improvements and look forward to demonstrating this when CQC next visit.”