A care home investigated by police has been put into special measures by a health watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told bosses at Lever Edge Care Home, in Great Lever, Bolton that it must make improvements to protect the safety of thjose living there.

Health experts carried out an inspection on 12 November 2015, initially giving the home a ‘good’ rating.

However, the report was not released because of a police investigation being launched that raised concerns about alleged documentation falsification.

In January 2016 five women were arrested after police launched an investigation into allegations of neglect at the home. They have all since been charged with perverting the course of justice and are due to face a trial in April next year.

Further inspections were then undertaken in November 2015 and a further inspection in February 2016, at which CQC reviewed certain aspects of the care provided in response to the information that had been brought to CQC’s attention.

During this visit, inspectors found that regulations had not been met in 11 instances, including breaches relating to the safe administration of medicines, having sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff, staff receiving the appropriate level of training and support to ensure they had the skills to care for people effectively, person centred care, complaints and good governance.

Inspectors noted a significant number of training records had been falsified, meaning that many staff did not have the correct skills and knowledge to carry out their duties effectively.

There were a significant number of occasions when there were not sufficient numbers of experienced and suitably trained staff on duty to support people safely and effectively.

Debbie Westhead, Deputy Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care in the North, said: “We found that staff at the home did not have the specialist training and skills required to help ensure people who were poorly and needed end of life care were supported appropriately.

“Falsification of records is also unacceptable and the care our inspectors saw being provided at Lever Edge Care Home falls a long way short of what we expect services to provide which is why we have placed it into special measures.

“We have been working with Bolton Council to ensure that people living at the home are not at undue risk and we will continue to monitor this care home and will not hesitate to use our enforcement powers.”

The home is run by Hill Care 1 Limited.

A spokesman from the home told the MEN: "The Lever Edge management and care home teams are extremely disappointed by the recent report of the Care Quality Commission. This reflects a specific incident to which our management team has responded rapidly and effectively to ensure the continued safety and comfort of our residents.

"We will continue to work closely with the Care Quality Commission and are committed to ensuring that Lever Edge Care Home regains its previously held ‘good’ rating at its next inspection. As such, we would welcome an early re-inspection date."