A care provider is being investigated by the Care Quality Commission over concerns for the welfare of elderly clients.

Westminster Homecare Limited provides in-home services to 414 elderly people in Waltham Forest and Enfield.

The health watchdog warned this month that improvements must be made after inspections in November revealed serious shortcomings in medicine management and the welfare of service users.

It was found that some medical administration records were inaccurate and medicines were not administered as described.

At least six inaccurate records were found to have medicines spelt incorrectly and strengths, doses and instructions for use were not always clear.

Of the six, only one record was found to have the correct start and end date for taking medicines.

One person was prescribed a chemotherapy medicine of 10 tablets once a day with anti-sickness tablets.

But these had been mixed up in a single packet and only five instead of the 10 tablets were given on one day.

Of 10 people who began using the service after August 16, five did not have their needs assessed and a care plan established in the required time.

One person had four daily visits scheduled for help getting in and out of bed and using a hoist but there was a gap of 19 days, up to 73 visits, before staff visited to assess needs and risks.

The CQC report also noted that most people who use the service praised the care provided by regular care workers, but issues were raised about unfamiliar care workers being assigned occasionally.

The provider has been contacted for comment.