Ellesmere House care home rated 'inadequate' by watchdog

CQC inspectors criticised the way medicines were managed at Ellesmere House

A Shropshire care home has been rated as "inadequate" by a health watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) criticised the way medicines were managed and the risk of infection at Ellesmere House, in Ellesmere.

The CQC report also said two deaths at the home over the past year had not been reported to the watchdog.

Owners Best Care Ltd said it had spoken to the CQC and was now preparing a "robust action plan that will address any outstanding issues".

The report said: "We found the home's infection control procedures were not meeting the regulation.

"Hazardous substances and equipment used in the home were not stored safely and could cause harm to people."

The home was caring for 21 people, most of whom have dementia, on the day of the inspection, the watchdog said.

Sue Howard, from the CQC, said the care provided fell "short of what we expect".

"We have told the home they must take action to resolve the issues we identified," she said.

Best Care Ltd said: "We now have a number of people with a detailed knowledge of care to undertake unannounced lay visits at Ellesmere House on a monthly basis".

The report followed an unannounced inspection in August.