Elderly residents were at risk of scalding from hot taps and one pensioner's meal was never replaced when it was dropped.

These are some of the findings in a damning report about a care home now in special measures.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has branded Romney Cottage Residential Care Home in Littlestone, as ‘inadequate’ and says it could be closed.

The inspectors also complained of poor training and a failure to learn from accidents.

Their report says staff shortages were affecting the quality of care and not enough was being done to prevent falls by frail residents; one fell 18 times over seven months.

The report says: “The overall rating for this service is ‘inadequate’ and the service is therefore in special measures.

“If not enough improvement is made we will take action in line with our enforcement procedures to begin the process of preventing the provider from operating this service. This will lead to cancelling their registration if they do not improve.”

The CQC would first make a return inspection within six months and if necessary cancel registration within another six months meaning the Madeira Road home could not stay open.

The inspectors had made unannounced visits on January 25-26.

The home was also branded ‘inadequate’ in three categories – safety, effectiveness and leadership – and classed as requiring ‘improvement’ in care and responsiveness.

On the plus side, residents the inspectors spoke to felt safe at Romney Cottage and felt they got the help they needed.

Infection control measures had been improved, residents said they ate well, had a choice of food and did not go hungry.

Residents felt comfortable with staff, said they were kind and had a good rapport with them.

Information was kept confidentially, care records were locked away when not in use, and workers understood the need for residents’ privacy.

A complaints procedure was in place and people felt comfortable raising any concerns or making a complaint.

But the home had worsened since the previous inspection of October 2014, when it was classed as requiring improvement overall and had the same grade in four categories.

It had the second best rating of ‘good’ for care.