Care home gets damning report

A DUNDEE care home has been criticised over “horrendous” staff shortages and a lack of dignity for residents.

Balhousie St Ronans on Dalkeith Road has been branded “weak” in two areas after an unannounced visit by the Care Inspectorate earlier this month.

Inspectors found that, at times, there was not enough staff to meet the needs of everyone who lived at the home.

They also found residents’ dignity “was not always promoted” with relatives reporting they often turned up to find their loved ones wearing dirty clothes.

Officials rated the home “weak” for how well it supported people’s wellbeing and the quality of its staff team.

It is the second critical inspection report at St Ronans in just over a year after a visit in late 2022 found residents were left feeling “anxious and distressed” due to staff shortages.

The latest report said: “We observed continence aids being hung on bedroom doors at night in anticipation of them being needed.

“Staff did not consistently knock on bedroom doors prior to entering and did not always engage with people in their rooms when attending to their needs.

“People’s clothes were not always changed promptly as needed.

“Families told us they could visit their loved one and find them in dirty clothes with spillages on them.

“People’s feeling of self-worth and mental wellbeing can be adversely affected by a lack of dignity and respect shown to them.”

Inspectors also spoke to staff members and residents’ families who said the service “often seemed short-staffed”.

Despite the criticism, officials did find several positive areas.

They said some interactions between residents and staff were “warm and kind”.

Additionally, staff told inspectors they felt supported by the management team and the officials saw evidence that the leadership team made efforts to cover shifts – even at short notice.

A spokesman for Balhousie Care Group said they are “fully committed to recovering and exceeding” expected standards and they will work with the Care Inspectorate to meet the requirements.

SLAMMED: Balhousie St Ronans was rated as “weak” in terms of their efforts to support people’s wellbeing.