Firm facing axe over care home deaths
Watchdog launches legal action
INSPECTORS have launched a legal bid to take over the running of a care home where seven people died in a Covid-19 outbreak.
The Care Inspectorate has applied to the courts seeking the cancellation of the registration for Home Farm in Portree, on the Isle of Skye, amid ‘serious and significant concerns’.
This could mean the home’s operator, HC-One, is removed and new care arrangements put in place.
The action was taken after an unannounced inspection on Tuesday. So far, 30 of the home’s 34 residents have tested positive for Covid-19 as well as 29 staff.
A Care Inspectorate spokesman said: ‘An inspection has identified serious and significant concerns about the quality of care experienced by residents.
‘We have submitted an application to the Sheriff Court seeking cancellation of the care home’s registration. We are working closely with partners including NHS Highland to ensure that residents experience appropriate care during this difficult time.’
NHS Highland said that it had ‘agreed a partnership approach to quickly and effectively address the situation’ with the owners HC-One.
The health board is deploying its own social care managers and nurses at the home.
An earlier inspection, in January, found problems with staffing levels, leading to some residents ‘not receiving the care and support needed’.
Inspectors also found ‘insufficient housekeeping staff’, which raised concerns about standards of cleanliness. It is not yet known when a hearing will take place. Urgent civil cases can still be heard in court during lockdown but it would be up to a sheriff to decide if a case is pressing.
A spokesman for HC-One, which operates 56 homes in Scotland, said: ‘We have accepted the shortcomings at Home Farm and apologise to our residents, their families, and the community.
‘We are fully committed to making significant improvements at the home and determined to put things right.
‘We are disappointed that the Care Inspectorate is taking the steps it is, but we will continue to work in partnership with NHS Highland to implement a robust action plan, with an unwavering focus on delivering the best possible care for residents.’
Ina Beaton, 103, died at the home on Monday. Her grandson, Ailean Beaton, said the family had ‘nothing but gratitude’ to staff for their care.
But he added: ‘It is really early on and very raw. Something fundamental went wrong.
‘Right now, all I’d like to hear is those in positions of power and responsibility taking some ownership over what went wrong and why. That would mean a lot, not just to us, but to everybody affected.’
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: ‘I am directly engaged with developments at the home to ensure we continue to act for the wellbeing of residents and staff.’