People at a care home were put “at risk” because their records were not correctly maintained, a health watchdog found.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has taken enforcement action against Holly Lodge Residential Home in Maidstone Road, Chatham, after an inspection earlier this year found it had failed to keep personal and medical records accurate and up to date.

The report highlighted that without the records it was impossible to know if people were receiving the correct treatment.

Residents of Holly Lodge were not being “protected from unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment” - CQC

It stated residents of Holly Lodge were “at risk” and were not being “protected from unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment”.

Inspectors looked at the care records of people using the service and spoke to the residents, their families and staff.

They found that not enough risk assessments had been carried out and those which were available “did not contain the instructions for staff to minimise the identified risks”.

Monthly reviews of the residents’ wellbeing did not have people’s full names, dates of birth or the date of the review.

“This meant it was difficult to see how old the information was and, if it fell out the file, who it belonged to,” the report said.

Despite the home having a regular cleaner there was no documentation showing the cleaning had actually happened and the gas safety and electrical wiring certificates were not up to date.

The CQC has created an action plan for Holly Lodge to improve and will be re-inspecting the home again to check the changes have been made.

The level of staff training also requires improvement before the next inspection as staff meetings on training and support were half as often as they should.

However in the other three categories Holly Lodge performed well: treating people with respect and involving them in their care; providing care, treatment and support that meets people’s needs; caring for people safely and protecting them from harm.

The Messenger did contact the home for a comment but has not received a response.

The inspect report comes just a week after another Chatham nursing home, Agape House, was forced to close. Serious concerns were raised about care following the death of one resident who suffered neglect.