RESIDENTS at a care home were left in bed throughout the day and referred to by their room number rather than their name, a watchdog has revealed.

The Care Quality Commission carried out an unannounced inspection at Kennet House at the Bupa-run Ghyll Grove nursing home in Ghyllgrove, Basildon.

The move came after concerns were raised about residents with dementia not receiving appropriate care and support.

Bosses have now warned standards must improve.

The inspection came after concerns were raised about residents with dementia not receiving appropriate care and support.

During the visit last month, inspectors discovered medication trolleyswere left unattended and cupboards where drugs are stored were left unlocked.

They also found medication administration records were not filled out correctly and many had unexplained gaps.

The watchdog gave the care home four weeks to make urgent improvements to its management of medicines.

Inspectors also found: ! Equipment used to prevent bed sores and pressure ulcers had been broken for nearly a month ! Staff had poor levels of communication with residents, and most interaction was routine ! Residents were referred to by their room numbers instead of names ! Some residents were left in bed throughout the day ! Staffing levels were below standard.

If changes are not made the watchdog could take further action against Ghyll Grove including handing out a fine, formal caution or suspending its services.

A spokeswoman for the commission said: “We will return to check the necessary improvements have been made.”

Standards in staffing, nutritional needs and care and welfare were also not being met.

The nursing home was handed a warning at the end of last year after inspectors discovered a number of failings including staff taking three weeks to refer a malnourished pensioner to a dietician.

Ghyll Grove appeared to be turning around its fortunes until the latest inspection report was released this week.

A spokeswoman for the care home said: “The report refers to only one of the five separate units at the home, and we have taken immediate action to address the issues raised.

“We have introduced strong new leadership of the unit by appointing a new unit manager and brought in additional, permanent support staff. All staff are completing further dementia specialist training and renewing their medication training.

“We have also reviewed the care plans for all residents and the GP has conducted a full medication evaluation for everyone at the unit. We are confident the action plan we have given the CQC will ensure high standards of care are achieved and maintained.”