The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Skye home to have weekly inspection
Weekly inspections are to be carried out at a care home in Skye before the “nuclear option” of suspending its registration is considered.
Roddy Dunlop QC appeared via video link at Inverness Sheriff Court on behalf of Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland after it launched legal action against HCOne, operators of the Home Farm premises.
He submitted a joint motion before Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald yesterday, which aimed for any concerns to be addressed by the firm with an option to come back to the judge seeking to strip it of its licence if this is not done within three weeks.
HC-One has 15 care homes in Tayside and Fife. More than 200 people have died in its Scottish estate since the pandemic began.
Last week, it was announced 10 residents had died at Home Farm, while 30 others and 29 staff have tested positive for Covid-19 at the facility in Portree.
Mr Dunlop said: “There has been a wholesale collaborative approach by all parties involved.
“This has seen substantial improvements, although it would be wrong to suggest that all concerns on the part of the pursuer have been fully addressed.
“This culminated in again a very collaborative meeting attended by all representatives of all interested parties via video conference yesterday, the end result of which is that there is a joint motion before your ladyship, that she continue the consideration of the motion that’s been enrolled for a period of three weeks.
“The purpose of that is manifold but in particular what we seek to do is to have a situation whereby the care of the residents can be continued with as little disruption as is possible.
“Obviously the suspension of the registration would be the nuclear option if I could use that colloquialism.”
Mr Dunlop said the home’s performance will continue to be monitored by inspectors with assistance from NHS Highland.
The court heard it is hoped this will result in all concerns being fully addressed so the matter could be resolved without further action.
Mr Dunlop told the court the aim is to have weekly inspections as well as an “ongoing process of dialogue”.
The original application sought an interim suspension of the registration of the service provided by HC-One “in light of concerns” from the pursuer.
Peter Gray QC, representing the operator, said: “The matters which have given rise to this application are being taken really seriously by those for whom I act.
“There is an absolute determination that the shortcomings which have been identified should be addressed robustly and I agree with what is being said by my learned friend that the collaborative approach which is now being taken provides a firm foundation to ensure that the necessary improvements are indeed made.”
Ms MacDonald continued the matter until June 10.