Concerns raised as inspectors rate care homes ‘weak’

Politicians have voiced concerns after two West Lothian care homes were graded as weak by the Care Inspectorate.

The Courier previously reported on the Care Inspectorate issuing their latest reports in December and two homes from the county were among those visited for inspection.

Now local MSPs have expressed their concern at the findings and are demanding improvements.

Conservative Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“This is a concerning report with care homes in West Lothian not meeting the required standards for PPE guidance and infection prevention control.

“Care home residents are in the high risk category to Covid-19 and every measure must be taken to keep them protected.

“The necessary improvements must be made urgently so that care home residents are properly cared for during this pandemic.”

Labour Lothian MSP, Neil Findlay, added:“These reports are hugely concerning.

“Infection prevention and control is a basic requirement of any care home at any time, and is especially important during the Covid crisis.

“To see care homes failing on such basic aspects of health care is completely unacceptable. The care inspectorate must ensure that they are regularly monitoring these homes going forward and if they can’t provide a good, safe service then the companies who own these homes must have action taken against them.”

Linlithgow SNP MSP, Fiona Hyslop, said:“Infection control is critical in battling Covid-19 spread and with the new variant having even greater transmissibility we need care homes to be extra vigilant in their infection control procedures.

“I know staff are very caring and responsible and will want to provide much needed personal care and support for residents but they need supported by management with strong infection control policy and procedures to adhere to and I expect West Lothian Health and Care Partnership to support all our care homes in West Lothian on this with particular attention to any who have had weak inspections in this area.”

Both Meadowvale in Bathgate and Livingston Care Home scored adequate for looking after patient’s health and wellbeing but rated as weak for infection control practices.

The report stated that at Meadowvale:“Although staff were trained in infection prevention and control, we found that Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) were not always followed. Some staff were wearing jewellery and watches.

“There was incorrect application of guidance about face visors. A more robust quality assurance system was needed to monitor practice including hand hygiene.”

Among the comments on Livingston Care Home the report said that:“Cleaning schedules and guidance were in place.

“Some areas of the home and some equipment was not cleaned effectively to reduce cross-contamination.

“PPE was available, however the placement of this was not always appropriate.”

And also that“some staff were not following current guidance on PPE use.”

A spokesperson for the West Lothian Health and Social Care partnership said:“Both care homes are privately owned and the owners are working with the Care Inspectorate to address the improvements that are required and highlighted in the report.

“The West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership is liaising with the care home owners and providing advice and support to assist them in making necessary improvements.”

Meadowvale Care Home is registered to provide care for up to 52 older people and the service is operated by Meadowvale Care (Bathgate) Limited.

Livingston Care Home provides care to 58 older people. The provider is Livingston Care Home Ltd.

The Courier has approached both homes for comment on the Care Inspectorate report.