Inspectors find improvements in quality of care at Inverness care home following concerns residents were being put at "significant risk"
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An Inverness care home that came under NHS investigation this summer amid concerns that residents were being put at "significant risk" by the way it was operated, still has room for improvement according to a further report by the Care Inspectorate.
Southside Care Home in Southside Road was rated "weak" in all categories by the follow-up inspection completed on September 2 including support of resident’s wellbeing; leadership; and the staff team.
However, the inspection report stated the quality of care in all categories had improved since the last inspection, but added: "There were some strengths but these were outweighed or compromised by significant weaknesses. The provider (Southside Nursing Home Ltd) had a plan in place to address the weaknesses."
Following the previous inspection an improvement notice required the provider to ensure that people’s health, safety and wellbeing needs were met when there were signs of deterioration in their health and wellbeing, when they were unhappy, or were at risk of harm – and this had been met.
"Staff numbers had temporarily increased," said the report.
"Staff were less hurried and had more time to provide people’s care during the day. Residents were experiencing less stress and distress. The risk of being upset or hurt had reduced.
"This is an important improvement that has made life safer and happier for people."
The report continued: "The improvement notice also required the provider to ensure that people’s health, safety and wellbeing needs were accurately documented, assessed, met and effectively communicated between all relevant staff."
Some improvements had been made, but the timescale for making further improvements was extended to October 28.
People under care had benefited from the temporary manager’s person-centred approach to care, said the report. "The temporary manager had valuable discussions with people and their families that led to improvements in people’s quality of life.
"Further work is required to support other staff who are responsible for care planning to become skilled in assessing people’s needs in this person-centred and inclusive way."
Some residents had legal arrangements in place to allow guardians or power of attorneys to make decisions about their care and everyday life. However the right information was not included in people’s care plans about these arrangements.
"Care plans were not formatted or written in a way that made it easy for people, their families and care staff to read them," said the report. "This could be a barrier to residents getting involved in care planning."
Residents and staff benefited from the leadership of the experienced temporary manager, said the report, adding: "Staff were feeling more valued, and increasingly confident that they could safely care for people.
"An action plan was in place, and used well to plan and track progress."
Inverness care home probed over risk to life claim
