CARE homes criticised by inspectors have been placed under observation after one facility said it would close because it could not meet the standards set by the regulator.

A council-run home in Edinburgh is among those examined by the Care Inspectorate in its last series of spot checks and it has had its deadline extended to allow staff to improve its service.

Torbrae Care Home in Castlemilk has already said it will close after it was examined by inspectors. Four other homes are being kept under close watch as the inspectorate moves to raise standards of care.

The Glasgow home was issued with a formal improvement notice by the Care Inspectorate over failings in quality of care, management and staffing.

Amore Care, which runs the facility in Castlemilk, has said it is unable to make the necessary improvements. Patients will be moved to other care homes before it is closed in April.

Another one of the six homes examined by the inspectorate and featured in a Herald investigation has been reported to prosecutors. Police Scotland said the findings of the inquiry into the Pentland Hill Nursing Home in Edinburgh, over the deaths of three women and one man, had been passed to the Crown Office.

The Care Inspectorate said it has inspected the four other highlighted homes again. The Gilmerton Care Home in Edinburgh has set up an action plan for improvement while Edinburgh City Council-run Ford's Road Care will be inspected again in the near future after having its timescale to meet standards extended. Inspectors said there was some improvement at Ainslie Manor, Girvan, Ayrshire, and Knowesouth, Jedburgh, but "some outstanding concerns remain over management and leadership" at the Borders facility.

Annette Bruton, chief executive of the Care Inspectorate, said: "We know that the majority of care homes in Scotland perform well. However, we do not hesitate to act on concerns raised.

"Protecting people who use care services is always our top priority and we work closely with services to help them improve and set out what must change.

"Anyone with concerns can contact our helpline on 0845 600 9527."