Weekly checks for island home caught up in outbreak

WEEKLY inspections are to be carried out at a care home struck by Covid-19 before the ‘nuclear option’ of suspending its registration is considered.

Ten residents have died at Home Farm care home in Portree, Skye, while 30 others and 29 staff have tested positive for Covid-19.

A legal bid to take over the management of the home was launched last week by care regulators amid ‘serious concerns’ with staffing levels and infection control. HC-One, the company which operates the Home Farm care home said it was co-operating with Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS).

SCSWIS regulates care service providers and works with the Care Inspectorate, which carries out inspections of homes. The development emerged during a virtual hearing yesterday before Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald who is based at Inverness Sheriff Court.

The legal proceedings had been raised after an inspection at the facility revealed ‘serious and significant concerns’.

Sheriff MacDonald continued the case for three weeks to allow for improvements to be made. SCSWIS lawyer Roddy Dunlop, QC, said: ‘There has been a collaborative approach by all parties. This has seen substantial improvements, although it would be wrong to suggest that all concerns have been fully addressed. The suspension of the registration would be the nuclear option.’

Mr Dunlop said the home’s performance will continue to be monitored by inspectors with assistance from NHS Highland.

Nationalist MSP for the Isle of Skye Kate Forbes said: ‘Whatever happens in the long run, residents at Home Farm will get all the support they need in these difficult days.’