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Care home ordered to up its game on how it deals with residents' wounds and sores


By Alasdair Fraser

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Meallmore Lodge Locator.
Meallmore Lodge Locator.

A nursing home near Inverness has been told to improve on how it deals with wounds and skin damage suffered by adults in its care.

Meallmore Lodge, seven miles south of the city, offers various types of residential-assisted living, respite and short stay care for up to 94 adults in rural Victorian buildings near Daviot.

Much of a Care Inspectorate report made after an unannounced visit on December 11 last year reflected favourably on the home’s staff, management, facilities and care.

But inspectors highlighted five main areas for improvement to enhance the lives of residents, who include adults with dementia and mental health difficulties.

One of those related to shortcomings in the avoidance and treatment of sores and wounds.

The report stated: “In the Heather Unit, we found there were some areas of need, including arrangements for the management of skin damage, pressure area care and wounds which were not being fully met.”

The home’s management, Meallmore Ltd, which runs 23 care homes across Scotland, was told to ensure areas of need in people’s care plans were fully met throughout the service by improving “pressure area care” and ensuring appropriate pressure relieving cushions were placed in chairs for people identified as at risk.

Management was also reminded of the importance of ensuring people lived in a “homely environment”.

The report stressed: “The manager should develop and implement a written plan to further enhance the environment within the Heather Unit.”

The Heather Unit can house 24 residents as one of five distinct residential areas within the home. The report also found there was a need to “tailor activities more closely to individuals needs, choices and wishes” to improve residents’ quality of life in line with Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS). It also called for management to ensure there was “strong leadership and staff competency” by embedding daily quality assurance processes in the Heather Unit.

This was so as to ensure staff met legal requirements for recording the application of transdermal patches and medication within care plans and records, among other issues.

It also called on the management to ensure staff had access to a “safe, clean staff changing area”.

After a previous inspection, the report concluded a demand to make the Heather Unit environment more “conducive and pleasant” for people living with dementia and cognitive or visual impairment had not been met.

However, the report stressed that most relatives of residents spoke positively of the service offered, praising the kindness of staff prepared to go “above and beyond” in treating people with care and respect.


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