Risk of malnutrition at care home, inspectors say

A care home has been placed in special measures after an inspection found some residents were "at risk of malnutrition".

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) reported that some people living at Yarborough House, in Grimsby, "experienced unintentional weight loss".

Alison Chilton, from the CQC, said care had deteriorated since the previous inspection, "showing a lack of compassion for people living there and putting them at risk of harm".

A spokesperson for the care home said "extensive and substantial improvements" had been made since the inspection in July and added the health and well-being of its residents is "our highest priority".

The home in Yarborough Road, run by Yarborough Care Ltd, cares for up to 25 adults with dementia and physical and mental disabilities.

Inspectors raised concerns about a lack of qualified staff and the maintenance of the building and equipment, which left people "exposed to avoidable harm".

The report stated that several people "had experienced unintentional weight loss and were at risk of malnutrition". Concerns relating to nutritional needs "had not always been recognised or acted upon".

In addition, some residents were placed "at risk of choking" because the home did not "ensure people requiring textured and modified diets were supported appropriately", inspectors said.

Other issues raised included residents not receiving their medication safely and staff failing to carry out regular positional changes for those at risk of developing pressure areas.

Inspectors noted that "patients and their relatives were positive about staff and their relationships with them".

Staff also "worked hard to support people" while "respecting people's choices and decisions", the report added.

The home was downgraded from "requires improvement" to "inadequate" after the CQC found three breaches of regulations uncovered on a previous inspection had not been addressed.

Chilton said the CQC would monitor the home and required "rapid and continued improvements".

This included ensuring "more activities and meaningful engagement" were available to people.

"One person told us they were lonely and another said they'd not had a TV in their room for a long time," she added.

A spokesperson for the care home said: "We accept much of what the CQC has identified. Since their inspection in July 2026, we have made extensive and substantial improvements addressing the report's findings.

"Whilst there are a couple of areas that remain outstanding, steps are being taken to address them as soon as possible, and we continue to work collaboratively with the CQC as part of the special measures process.

"The health and well-being of the residents within our care is, and always will be, our highest priority."

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