An Edinburgh-based service that cares for vulnerable people at home has been ordered to make urgent improvements in a damning report.

The Care Inspectorate served a formal improvement notice on Homecare Support after an inspection raised concerns.

Staff at the independent firm, based in Lower Granton Road, must make urgent improvements on visit times, medication and staff training by March 31.

Concerns were raised over visits not being carried out on schedule or for the correct length of time, as well as discrepancies with medication.

Homecare Support must demonstrate visits have been agreed with patients ahead of time and all visits are carried out as planned.

The firm has also been ordered to ensure people receive the right medication at the right time and detailed records are kept.

Inspectors said any issues with medication would have to be recorded and checked with health professionals.

Homecare Support must also ensure it has a system for looking at mistakes which helps to reduce the number of mistakes made.

On staff training, the service must demonstrate to the Care Inspectorate that the training needs of all staff have been identified and met.

A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said: "The improvement notice we have issued clearly lays out the improvements we must see so that the care provided to people improves quickly.

"We will check on the progress made following this improvement notice and if we are not satisfied that the matters raised are addressed urgently we will not hesitate to take further action.

"We continue to work with the city council and this service to ensure standards improve."

He added: "Everyone in Scotland has the right to safe, compassionate care which meets their needs and respects their rights.

"Anyone with a concern can contact our helpline on 0345 600 9527."