Care home linked to Covid-19 deaths rated ‘unsatisfactory’
A care home linked with 13 deaths caused by Covid-19 in April has been told it must improve urgently by the Care Inspectorate after being rated ‘unsatisfactory’ for infection control practices.
Guthrie House in Liberton, Edinburgh, is run by Four Seasons Health Care and was linked to the deaths of 13 residents due to Covid-19 in April.
Five months on and the care home has been criticised by the care homes watchdog for failing to adequately protect its residents from infection after an inspection on 1 September.
In a report, submitted to the Scottish Parliament by the Care Inspector ate, the care home is criticised for “serious concerns” relating to cleanliness.
Staff were also found to not be complying with guidance on infection prevention, and “did not fully understand” safe PPE practice.
The home was also slammed for other issues including residents not having easy access to water anywhere in the homes and for not “appropriately” supporting those in pain and distress.
The care home was also criticised for there being “no evidence” to show people living in the care home had been encouraged to keep in contact with family members during lockdown.
The report stated :“There were serious concerns relating to the cleanliness of the furnishings and equipment used to support people. Staff were not fully complying with current guidance on infection prevention and control and did not fully understand safe practices with regards to PPE.”
A follow-up inspection on September 3 found some attempts had been made to address the concerns but were deemed “not sufficient” by the Care Inspectorate.
A spokesman for Four Seasons Health Care said: “We deeply regret that Guthrie House care home has fallen below the standards that the Care Inspector ate requires and that we expect. Since the inspection, we have put in place a comprehensive action plan and are fully supporting the home to ensure this is delivered. Our colleagues are working tirelessly on the frontline to care for our residents under difficult circumstances.”