Safety of care home residents a concern
Inspectors call for urgent improvements
The safety of residents in an East Kilbride care home “could be compromised” according to the latest report from the Care Inspectorate.
The quality of care and support at Cathkin House Care Home was slammed as weak and graded at just two during an unannounced assessment in December.
Quality of staffing was also deemed weak as was quality of management and leadership.
Meanwhile, quality of environment was deemed as good and graded as four.
Inspectors raised serious concerns about residents buzzing for assistance but having to wait a long time for the staff to respond.
The report reads: “At times we saw people being assisted in a calm, unhurried manner.
“Whereas, at other times, staff performed tasks for people but without explaining what was happening to them. People with communication difficulties or needing assistance to move around were not always listened to or fully informed of what was happening.
“People with distressed behaviour were not fully supported with appropriate measures of comfort.
“We saw people buzzing for assistance and having to wait a long time for staff to respond.
“This meant that not all residents were treated with the same level of dignity and respect, or had their care needs fully met.”
A previous visit by inspectors saw a recommendation over lack of consistency with recordkeeping.
However, this was not followed up on and the report goes on to say: “Care and support plans and supplementary recording sheets were not always up to date.
“This inconsistency with record keeping could influence the ability of staff to provide appropriate care to meet the needs of people.
“People living in the home were assessed using appropriate tools such as falls, nutritional and mobility assessments.
“However, the information from these was not always included in relevant sections of care and support plans.
“This could lead to the safety of residents being compromised.”
The care home has been ordered to rectify this as a matter of urgency. There was criticism about some residents sitting or lying for long periods of time with no stimulation.
However, it was acknowledged that there is a new activities coordinator in place.
A requirement has also been made to providing better access to the buzzer system – and a review of staffing levels to meet the complex needs of some of the residents.
It was noted that the manager was actively trying to recruit new staff at the time of the visit.
However, the document added: “We observed that not all staff put their training into practice to promote and maintain a safe environment.
“Some staff did not always follow recommended practice to minimise the risk of cross infection between people. Storage, disposal and transport of equipment should follow recognised guidelines for safe and effective practice for the benefit of people living in the home.
“We have made a requirement about this.”
The inspection in December saw a drop in standards at the care home since February last year when inspectors graded the home good across the board.
Regional director of Care UK Group, who run the Nerston facility, Liz McKeegan said: “Even before the inspection, our own audits had already identified some areas for improvement at this home.
“We have worked hard to implement a comprehensive action plan to put right various matters and we are starting to see the results of these efforts.
“For example, we have worked with additional managers to coach the team to deliver the very best care and support for the residents.
“In addition, the care team have been updating their training in subjects such as dementia care and preventing infection.”
Information wasn’t always included... this could lead to safety being compromised