County care home must sharpen up
Inspectors list five‘requirements’after review
Bosses at a Blairgowrie care home have said they are “delighted” with the findings of an unannounced inspection – despite being told to make a number of improvements.
The Care Inspectorate has said Stormont Lodge in Kirk Wynd, which is owned by the Balhousie Care Group, must meet five “requirements” following its inspection of the facility on October 10.
Inspectors said in their report on Stormont Lodge, which was looking after 18 people at the time of the inspection: “We noted that the six monthly reviews of some residents’ care were not carried out timeously or involved relatives or professionals as we would expect.
“We also felt that improvements needed to be made in some areas of medication recording. Other areas for development included ensuring that care plans included information as to what equipment had been provided to prevent a fall or from someone developing a pressure ulcer.”
The report continued: “During a lunch time observation, we noted that residents who required assistance had to wait for a very long time and that there were not enough staff providing assistance to those who required it.
“Some residents were struggling to make a meal choice from the verbal offers. We also were disappointed to note that residents’ walking aids were not always placed within their reach.” Balhousie Stormont Lodge Care Home, Blairgowrie
The report went on: “Not all staff have the current and upto-date training in relation to dementia care and this needs to be addressed so that all carers
have the expertise required to support residents living with dementia.
“All staff should be provided with regular supervision in line with current policy that has opportunities to discuss reflective practice and training and development.
“We could see this was being currently developed by the service and was already in place for one member of staff.”
The Care Inspectorate has concluded the overall quality of care and support and staffing at Stormont Lodge is “good” but has issued the following requirements:
•All care plans should be reviewed at least once in every six month period or when there is a significant change in the person’s health, welfare or safety needs.
•The provider must make sure that residents receive their medication effectively and as the prescriber intended.
•Residents must have access to their mobility equipment in line with their assessed need and should be placed within reach at all times.
•Records must be improved to demonstrate safer recruitment practice in line with the company policy and the Scottish Government’s safer recruitment practice.
•The service must ensure that all staff who support residents with dementia have up-to-date and relevant training.
A spokesperson for Balhousie Care Group said: “We are delighted that the first inspection of Stormont Lodge under the new manager, Cheryl Banks, has received consistently good grades across all themes.
“Ms Banks took up her new post in August 2016 and brings vast experience of the care sector.
“Her passion and dedication to delivering person-centred care will support the development of staff and underpin the company focus on quality of care.
“The respect, dignity and comfort of residents remains priority for all at Balhousie Care Group.”