A WANTAGE care home has been warned to make improvements after an unannounced inspection found residents were not safe or looked after.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited St Katharine’s House, in Ormond Road, in October.

The report, which has just been published, found that care and treatment was not planned and delivered in a way that ensured people’s safety and welfare.

The CQC found one person, whose mental health care plan said required one-to-one interaction, last had a record of such activity in August.

Inspectors observed the person four times during the visit and on all occasions they were alone.

A formal warning has been sent to St Katharine’s House – which is run by Gold Care Homes – saying improvements must be made. CQC inspectors will return to the care home “in due course” to check.

If improvements are not made, the CQC has the power to issue fines, restrict services the care home provides or, in the most serious cases, suspend or cancel services.

Gold Care Homes chief operating officer Andrew Mangion said the group was “currently and actively addressing” the failings, adding: “We are working with all the relevant external care professionals, including Oxfordshire County Council, families and relatives, and we are confident that the changes we are making in the home will ensure the residents are well looked after in a caring environment.”