A Bradford homecare agency has been issued with two formal warnings by watchdog the Care Quality Commission, after an inspection revealed “unacceptable” failings in essential quality and safety standards.

Claire Meade Care Ltd, based at the Bradford Chamber Business Park in Laisterdyke, trades under the name Caremark Bradford, offering personal care and support services to vulnerable people across the district.

The formal warnings relate to standards of medicines management and medical and personal records, and the company has also been told that “urgent action” is needed to improve the care and welfare it provides to people it cares for.

Malcolm Bower-Brown, CQC’s regional director for the north, said: “The failings we found at Caremark Bradford are just not acceptable. We have told the provider very clearly where improvements must be made.”

The inspection was carried out to check if improvements required by a previous inspection in May 2013 had been made, and to look into new concerns raised about care standards.

Claire Meade, who set up the Caremark franchise, said: “We have been working closely with the local authority and the Care Quality Commission post the inspection in November 2013 on the action plan to ensure we are compliant on all the areas highlighted in the report. The welfare, safety and quality of care to all our customers is of paramount importance to us.”

Areas of concern

Areas of concern highlighted in the CQC report include:

  • A bin bag being used to move one person who fell ill as the carer did not have the proper equipment and a risk assessment had not been updated to reflect the change in the person’s condition.
  • One person with reduced mobility being left on the floor overnight at their home after a carer had provided food and medicine but not told relatives. Staff who attended the next day found the person still on the floor and alerted the company
  • A family who had specifically asked for male care staff for their relative, who suffered from dementia and displayed inappropriate behavour towards women, being sent female employees, despite him sleeping with a knife under his pillow and having a history of making suggestive remarks to previous female members of staff.
  • Care plans and risk assessments not being updated for people who needed support with eating and drinking.