Cloud hangs over care home as staff conduct probe continues

House while an investigation was underway and new care staff were recruited.

But a family friend of Mackintosh residents, who fought to have the five pensioners returned to their home for the last year but asked not to be named, said there is ‘still a cloud’ over the care home as a result of these ongoing issues.

He said: ‘I can understand why they can’t permanently replace staff while enquiries are ongoing because that would break employment law. What I don’t understand is why the enquiries still aren’t finished after all this time. It’s shocking that this still isn’t finished. A disciplinary shouldn’t take this long, they can be dealt with in a matter of days.

‘ While it’s really good that the home is finally open again and everyone seems really happy with it, there’s still a cloud hanging over the Mack and it will stay until this issue is resolved.’

But Ms Hodges, who has been the interim manager since mid-July, said the care home continues to improve: ‘It really does feel like the Mackintosh Centre is starting afresh. We improved the level of staffing, training and future planning before the home re- opened and our staff have been working above and beyond the call of duty. We are also working hard at developing the ‘ My Home Life’ initiative, which improves the way people are supported in a care home setting. My Home Life is an evidence-based approach to supporting and enabling care home managers to create homely environments in care homes.’