A CARE home has been told it must make improvements after inspectors found it in worse condition than a previous investigation six months before.

The Care Inspectorate found a catalogue of concerns including ­medication mistakes and hygiene failures after carrying out a high-intensity inspection at Heatherfield care home in Armadale, West Lothian in August.

It found that the quality of care and support, the ­environment and management and leadership were unsatisfactory, the lowest possible grade.

A previous inspection in February had graded these areas as weak, the second-lowest grade.

There were further concerns identified about medication, the garden area being unkempt and unsafe, poor handling of soiled linen and unclean kitchen areas.

In their most recent report, inspectors found that "the service is providing a level of care to service users which is less than adequate".

It found "in some respects the situation has worsened since our last inspection".

Inspectors found previous requirements unmet.

A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said: "We continue to have serious concerns about this service and are monitoring them closely to ensure they take action to meet the standards we expect.

"We will be inspecting again soon and if we are not satisfied that improvements are being made quickly on the areas we have highlighted, we will not hesitate to take further action.

"The level of care provided is unacceptable and must improve."

No-one was available for comment at Heatherfield yesterday.