A SERVICE which supports people with autism has been criticised for its medicine management.

Creative Support has received a 'requires improvement' rating from the Care Quality Commission after inspectors found staff were not following prescription guidelines.

The Bolton branch of the not-for-profit organisation based in Manchester Road was found to require improvement in safety, effectiveness and leadership.

It was rated as 'good' for care and and responsiveness.

Inspectors visited the service, which supports people with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and challenging behaviour in their own homes, in May after giving two days' notice.

The report found examples of staff not following instructions on when to deliver medicines and inaccurate records on the quaintly of medicines.

Inspectors reported: "We found that these medicines were not always given safely and often no justification for administration could be demonstrated.

"We looked at medicines and records about medicines for five people living in the two projects we visited on the day of the inspection. We had some concerns about the safe administration of medicines for all five people."

Examples included a service user being given a medicine prescribed for use when they were 'highly agitated or distressed'.

It was to be taken only after trying another medication first. However, on this occasion it was used without giving the service user the first course of medication.

Another person was prescribed a medicine to be taken 30 to 60 minutes before food, but the medication was recorded as given at breakfast time.

Inspectors also praised the home for its person-centred care plans with a wide range of activities and families of service users described the care as "excellent" and had improved their relative's confidence.

The report added: "We observed staff interacting in a kind and friendly manner throughout the day, there was a good relationship observed between staff and people who used the service.

"People's privacy and dignity was respected and we saw that the staff promoted independence as much as possible.

"The service had good links with the local community, which helped people who used the service to mix and integrate with the community."

Creative Support director of customer experience Jackie Nixon said that since the inspection a full improvement plan had been put in place, including internal auditing and the introduction of new medication systems.

She added: "We are very proud of this service as it has helped to transform the lives of a number of people with very complex needs and has enabled them to enjoy a much improved quality of life.

"As a provider which takes quality assurance very seriously we were of course disappointed to receive this overall inspection grading and we will work tirelessly to address the issues identified in the inspection. Our local managers have the full support of our head office Quality Team and we are confident that this service will be rated as ‘good’ at the next inspection."