A CORNWALL councillor has expressed concern over the safety and welfare of residents at a Callington nursing home, after an inspection found that they were not being given adequate food and drink and not having regular baths.

The Quality Care Commission report said the St Theresa's Care Centre in Callington failed in its duty of care. A spot visit on August 4 found serious problems.

Callington's Cornwall councillor Andrew Long said between the Primary Care Trust and the council's adult care and support department, they funded 33 of the 41 residents at this home and the treatment of some of these vulnerable elderly people was 'not acceptable.'

As a result of the findings the centre was closed to new placements and increased its staffing levels.

'I am concern that this situation has been allowed to happen in the first place to people who are some of the most vulnerable in our society,' he said.

'I am pleased that both Cornwall council and the primary care trust have been working with the management to ensure that all of the actions identified by the CQC are addressed. We need to learn lessons quickly on this and ensure that it never happens again.'

The report of the CQC found that only three of out of 19 people monitored had received a bath in the previous month and some residents did not appear to have adequate hydration and nutrition.

'The health and welfare needs of people using the service are not appropriately met,' said inspectors. 'Staff are not available in sufficient numbers and do not have sufficient training to ensure that needs are met.'

St Theresa's proprietor Malcolm Freeland said in a statement: 'From the day of this inspection a rigid, far-reaching and robust action plan has been in place to remedy the situation.

'This is the first adverse report that we have had under our ownership which started in 1986 and we are all deeply shocked. We apologise for our failings and want to assure people that we are all striving to attain our usually high standards as soon as possible.'