Legal action taken to shut failing care home
Care Inspectorate launch legal proceedings against home
A care home is facing closure- after a scrutiny body applied to the courts to have its registration cancelled.
The news follows evidence of “faecal contamination” found during an inspection of Nightingale House in Auchinleck Main Street.
The Care Inspectorate accused the care home of putting residents’ health and safety ‘at risk.’
They said: “An inspection has identified serious and significant concerns about the quality of care experienced by residents at Nightingale House Care Home in Auchinleck. We understand this is a difficult and distressing time for residents, their loved ones and staff at the home. However, our first priority is always the health and wellbeing of residents. On June 2, 2021 we issued an Improvement Notice which listed the areas of care that required to improve. However, because of our concerns about the safety and wellbeing of residents, and because the improvements required have not been made, we have submitted an application to the sheriff court seeking cancellation of the care home’s registration. This could allow new care arrangements to be put in place for residents of the home. We are working closely with partners including East Ayrshire health and social care partnership and the Scottish Government to ensure that residents experience appropriate care that meets their needs during this difficult time.”
The news could affect 25 residents who live there.
The statement follows an earlier inspection by the Care Inspectorate that claimed Nightingale House, which cares for older people, needed a “thorough deep clean.”
They panned the home’s hygiene practices for putting residents’ health and safety ‘at risk. ’Inspectors found faecal contamination in toilet areas and on equipment, “faults with equipment” that ‘compromised’ health and safety and evidence of “poor maintenance” and “poor standard of fittings and workmanship” throughout the home. The Care Inspectorate claimed the care home was “not tidy or even clean,” it needed “repairs and refurbishment” and that the owner and manager were unclear about their roles and responsibilities. Their findings come after a recent unannounced inspection. Management “lacked insight” into some of the issues the Care Inspectorate raised, it was claimed. The home was rated as ‘weak’ across a range of quality indicators and ‘adequate’ in just one area. Its report stated: “We found concerns and faults with equipment and servicing requirements throughout the home that could seriously compromise people’s health and safety. And we were concerned about their lack of insight into some of the issues we raised during our visits. The owner and manager were unclear about their roles and responsibilities.In areas of deficit such as servicing requirements were not adhered to, they placed the blame elsewhere, instead of recognising their own level of responsibility in relation to providing a clean, safe and comfortable care home environment. This lack of ownership and poor leadership has the potential to raise concerns and anxieties of the people who receive care and their relatives.”
Dr Erik Sutherland, head of locality health and care services with East Ayrshire health and social care partnership, said: “The care home will have two weeks to appeal this decision, but we are working with other care providers to implement contingency plans which will ensure the continuation of care for existing residents, and above all, to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Residents, families and carers have been made aware of the situation and we will be working with partners to make any changes to care provision as smooth and as seamless as possible.”
Councillor Claire Maitland, cabinet member with responsibility for social care, said: “It is very sad, but wholly necessary, for us to take enforcement action alongside the Care Inspectorate when services do not meet these standards. We will be doing all we can to minimise any upset and disruption for residents and their families as we source alternative care arrangements.”
Nightingale House did not make any comment.