A Darlington care home has been told to improve over issues in safety and leadership just seven months after it received a ‘good’ rating.

The Riverside View Care Home in Darlington has had its rating downgraded after a CQC (Care Quality Commission) inspection from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’.

Inspectors found the home was not always safe for residents and not always well led.

They were called in after concerns about safeguarding, falls management and the administration of medicine were raised just months after a previous inspection in February.

The Northern Echo: Riverside View in Darlington.Riverside View in Darlington. (Image: DANIEL HORDON)

Medicines were not always managed safely and effectively. Guidance and accurate records were not always kept to ensure drugs were handed out safely.

Management was ‘inconsistent’ and the culture they created did not always support the delivery of high-quality care, although residents was a positive atmosphere at the home and said they were happy with the care and support they received.

No full-time manager was in post at the time of the inspection, although a new manager has now been appointed.

Staff said they felt supported by the deputy manager who was in charge at the time.

The home, which looks after elderly residents and people with dementia, had 34 residents when inspectors turned up unannounced in early November, 21 fewer than during its February inspection.

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It maintained its ‘good’ rating for being effective and responsive.

Bosses at the home will have to respond to the CQC’s concerns detailing the action they will take.

The Northern Echo contacted Marton Care Ltd, which owns the care home, for a comment.

In April the Echo told how police were investigating reports of an assault at the home. We have contacted Durham Police for an update.