A SOUTH Lakeland care home has been told it must make improvements after inspectors found that required action had not been taken after a previous assessment.

Westmorland Court Nursing and Residential Home, in Arnside, was rated as 'requires improvement' following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in February.

Inspectors focused on the 'safe' and 'well-led' categories that were in breach of regulations at the last inspection in 2019.

The home was also the subject of a targeted safety inspection in October 2022 after concerns were raised following the death of a person in the home.

The report said: "Medicines were not always being managed safely.

"However, since the last inspection in 2019 where we found some similar concerns, we did find that some improvements had been made to address those concerns at that time.

But it also said: "At the inspection on June 17, 2019 we also made a recommendation about checking practical training for the management of medicines.

"We also made a recommendation at the last targeted inspection, published November 16, 2022, about having a robust system in place for recruitment checks for agency staff.

"At this inspection, we found the provider had acted on these recommendations and had made those improvements."

In the 'safe' section of the report, it said: "Not enough improvement had been made in the management of as and when required medicines.

"The recording of thickeners and the safe timing of medications meaning the provider was still in breach of regulation 12.

"The registered manager and clinical lead responded immediately during and after the inspection.

"They confirmed care plans, medication records, and risk assessment documentation were being reviewed and improved."

The 'well-led' section of the report said: "At this inspection the rating for this key question has remained 'requires improvement'.

"This meant some aspects of the service management and leadership were inconsistent.

"Oversight of the safety and quality of the service was not fully embedded."

However, the report said: "Feedback from staff was very positive about the leadership and management.

"Staff told us they were confident they could make suggestions to the registered manager and felt listened to."

Inspectors ordered the home to address 'safe management of the timing of medications and when required medicines the use of thickeners.'