CARE home staff are putting patients at risk of harm, according to a health watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission has stated Kimberley Grace Care Home, in Grosvenor Road, Westcliff requires improvement.

During the inspection, inspectors found some residents did not receive their correct medication.

The report states: “One person did not receive their prescribed medication as they should.

“The Medication Administration Records (MAR) form detailed one of their medicines was to be administered up to a maximum of three times a week as having this every day could result with them becoming reliant on the medication.

“The MAR form showed this had been administered every day since October 1, 2018, and senior staff who administered the medication had not identified this issue.

“Following the inspection, the registered provider wrote to us and advised that after a review of this person’s medication, in August 2018, the above adjustment had been made as the person previously received this as PRN ‘as required’ medication.

“However, no rationale was being recorded to evidence why this medication was being administered every day.”

The inspectors also found staff handled residents in a way which put them at risk.

Inspectors also saw two members of staff assist one person to move in a way which was unsafe and which put the patient at risk of harm.

Staff attempted to transfer the resident from a comfortable chair in the lounge to a wheelchair by placing their hands under the person’s armpits.

The report states: “This technique is unsafe, can hurt and cause injury because the person’s armpits and shoulders have too much pressure on them.

“Though the above was poor practice, the person using the service was not seen to be distressed or to experience any pain.”

The care home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 17 older people.

The inspection was carried out in October but the report was published on the CQC website on December 27.

A spokesman for the care home said the service is putting together an action plan to satisfy the CQC following the report.