A LITTLEMORE care home specialising in looking after those with mental health problems has been criticised for its ‘unsafe’ handling of medication.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited Iris Hayter House on September 26 to assess how well it was looking after residents.

Despite largely praising the home, which at the time of inspection was looking after 12 people, the health watchdog highlighted issues with the way the use of medication was recorded.

These caused the Sandford Road home to be downgraded to 'requires improvement' overall.

The report stated: “Medicines were not always managed safely.

ALSO READ: Patients' deaths likely caused by problems in hospital care, says trust report

"We checked five bottled medicines and found there was no opening dates recorded on the bottles.

“This meant staff could not be sure the medicines was/were still safe to use.”

It added: "Medicine records were not always accurately maintained.

"We checked the stock balances for three people’s medicines and found them to be inaccurate."

ALSO READ: Woman 'said rape was her own fault because she was drunk'

Inspectors said the care home had systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service.

However, these systems were 'not always effective' and 'did not identify our concerns relating to medicines'.

The report, however, went on to conclude: “From our analysis of the evidence we were able to establish people had received their medicines safely and as prescribed.”

It stated the registered manager, Kathleen Walker, took 'immediate action' and by the end of the inspection the immediate concerns had been rectified, also confirming checks and audits of medicines would be reviewed.

The report added, following the inspection, Ms Walker contacted the CQC and told the watchdog these actions had been completed.

ALSO READ: Trust that admitted 'serious failings' in man's care gets watchdog approval

The relationship between staff and residents was singled out for particular praise.

It stated: "People told us staff were caring. Staff’s commitment and compassion enabled people to receive care from staff who knew them well.

"People received safe care from skilled and knowledgeable staff. "People told us they felt safe receiving care from the service.

"Staff fully understood their responsibilities to identify and report any concerns."

Inspectors said there were enough staff to meet people’s needs and people were supported to have 'maximum choice and control of their lives' and staff supported them in the 'least restrictive way possible'.

It said people’s care was personalised and matched their needs, which 'promoted their wellbeing and improved their quality of life'.

The report added: "Staff culture was positive, and the team was caring.

ALSO READ:Lebanese restaurant reinspected after cockroach infestation closure

"This had resulted in the provision of compassionate and personalised care.

It continued: "The service had a clear management and staffing structure in place.

"Staff worked well as a team and had a sense of pride working at the service."

Iris Hayer House is run by Response, which specialises in providing accommodation for those with mental heath issues.

Its website states: "Our mission is to enable people with mental health problems and complex needs to live their lives to the full."

It added: "For over 50 years, we have been innovating, adapting and providing high-quality services in the field and now operate across the Thames Valley and down to the South Coast."

The organisation manages more than 70 properties and supports 364 people.