A CARE service in Bicester has been ordered to improve after concerns were raised about patients' safety.

The Get Care service at Bicester Innovation Centre, which supports people living with mental health needs and physical disabilities living in and around Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire, has an overall rating of 'requires improvement' after a review by healthcare watchdog, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Published earlier in June, the report reveals problems with its safety and management after healthcare inspectors spoke with two people who used the service and their relatives, and some staff members.

It showed that there was an increased risk that people could be harmed following some problems with medicines

In addition, information in policies and procedures was either inaccurate or missing.

Inspectors said: " We saw one person's records noted they needed prompting and support administering their medicines.

"This could cause confusion for staff as these were two different tasks.

"The registered manager clarified the person required staff to administer the medicines and said they would update the records to accurately record and guide staff on the level of support the person needed."

However, patients and their relatives assured inspectors that they felt 'safe' and had 'consistent support'.

Staff were also happy with infection control practices and one confirmed that they have access to all PPE needed to do their tasks in an efficient manner.

While this was the first inspection for the newly registered service, the CQC pointed out that the delivery of high-quality care was not always consistent.

The watchdogs commented: "The registered manager had implemented some quality monitoring systems which were effective in monitoring the service.

"However, it was difficult to identify how and where changes and improvements had been made as these were not recorded in some of the records we viewed.

"There were various examples throughout the inspection process where we recognised the registered manager was open and willing to learn but had not considered some aspects of the running of the service until we pointed these out to them.

"For example, details on ways to minimise the risk occurring to a person when they were being mobilised had not been clearly recorded."

The service was effectively scored as 'requires imporvement', however, inspectors rated it 'good' for being 'effective, caring and responsive'.

The CQC inspection took place on April 19 and May 5, and managers at Get Care have already made a number of improvements according to inspectors.