Urine-soaked mattresses, lack of staff and residents at risk of bed sores have prompted inspectors to order urgent improvements at a Carlisle care home.

The Care Quality Commission carried out an unannounced inspection at Barrock Court, Low Hesket, after concerns were flagged up by health professionals.

The watchdog visited the home in mid January and have just published a report of their findings.

It shows that improvements are required in all areas.

The home, just outside Carlisle, provides residential care for about 28 people and is run by Advinia Healthcare.

Bosses said they were “disappointed” with the report, stressing that the home has previously been rated good.

However the CQC said the inspection was brought forward due to concerns about poor standards of care raised by the local authority and care professionals

During the visit, inspectors found urine-soaked mattresses in use. They said: “Two mattresses were found to be soaked in urine beneath protective covers, with a further two stained from dried urine.

“All were replaced during the inspection and after a review of all mattresses, a further three were replaced.”

Concerns were also raised over the care of people’s skin.

Inspectors said: “We found mattresses which were not fit to be used and pressure-relieving equipment which was not always being used. We also observed people sitting for extended periods with no evidence of being moved.”

They also noted that healthcare professionals had “lost confidence” in the home, and that some residents had developed pressure ulcers shortly after arrival there.

The CQC also found that there were not enough staff to support residents, and that they waited excessive times for call bells to be answered.

There were concerns that medicines were not being managed safely, with unauthorised staff having access to storage cabinets and residents not always receiving medicines as prescribed.

Inspectors added that not enough was being done to protect residents from financial abuse, with people’s records incorrectly totalled.

Len Merton, chief executive of Advinia, stressed there were some positives, with residents and their relatives giving good feedback and saying they felt safe.

But he added: “We are disappointed with the report as recently this home has always received a good rating and was nominated in the Care Awards last year.

“We have fully complied with the improvements required and appointed a new manager. We are confident these will return the service to a ‘good’ rated home again for the next inspection. The Local Authority Compliance have expressed satisfaction at the improvements made.”