A CARE home has been placed into special measures after it was rated as 'inadequate' by inspectors.

Lymewood Court Nursing Home on Piele Road, Haydock, was given the lowest possible ranking by the Care Quality Commission following a two-day inspection on February 28 and March 1.

The home received the 'inadequate' grade for all five categories of safety, effectiveness, whether the service was caring, responsiveness and leadership.

The home's registered manager was absent during the visit, with an interim manager appointed in February who was in place during the inspection.

In their report, inspectors noted the service was "not safe" and prescribed medication "was not given to people when they needed it because it was not available or given at the right times".

They added parts of the premises "were unsafe and equipment used by people was unhygienic".

The report also said care records "lacked information about people's needs" and that "appropriate medical advice was not sought".

Inspectors also noted a "lack of effective communication amongst staff about people's needs".

People's confidentiality was "compromised because their person records were not always securely stored" inspectors added.

Residents' "privacy and dignity was not fully respected and promoted".

It was also said before mealtimes, people were left for long period of time in the dining room with "little stimulation and staff interaction".

Meanwhile, inspectors found "a lack of evidence to show that people and/or their representatives had taken part in the assessment, development and reviewing of people's care".

They noted two family members of residents said they did not recall being invited to discuss their relative's care, a breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

It was added complaints were "not properly dealt with". However, it was pointed out people had the opportunity to "engage in activities which they enjoyed".

Also, inspectors said failure to monitor actions plans "resulted in a lack of improvements being made across the service" and the the service "lacked scrutiny by the registered provider".

A spokesperson for Lymewood Court said: “We are disappointed by the findings of the report, which do not meet the high standards we aim for.

"Immediate and robust action has already been taken, with developments to the processes and investment in the fabric of the home.

"A new and very experienced manager is in place, who is receiving support from senior management to drive forward sustained improvements and is working closely with the CCG, local authority and external partners.”