Inverness care home put residents “at risk of harm” through catalogue of failures
An Inverness care home “put people's health and well-being at risk” by failing to ensure proper checks on medicines.
That was one of a host of criticisms the Care Inspectorate levelled at Castlehill Care Home in Cradlehall after an unannounced visit in June this year.
Residents had “significant levels of bruising” that was not recorded or explained, were seen to be wearing “dirty and stained clothing” and “walking around in socks or bare feet”.
There was also “risk of harm” from poor staff training for tasks including assisting residents’ mobility, while some inadequate dining arrangements created “a risk of choking”.
Inspectors rated the home, which provides care to more than 80 older people, as “weak” in supporting residents’ well-being and in leadership, staffing and care planning during a visit last month.
The setting was rated as “adequate”.
Operator Morar Living has responded by saying the gradings given by the Care Inspectorate were not “a true reflection” of the care provided and insisted residents were never at risk.
Considering support for people’s well-being, the report states: “Checks showed significant discrepancies between the number of medicines held in stock and that which was recorded on the electronic system.
“We observed and heard about staff… recording medication had been administered to individuals when it had not been; and we saw that prescriptions had not been renewed when needed.
“This meant that some people did not have their prescribed medication when they needed it.
“This put people's health and wellbeing at risk.”
There was praise for aspects of the home’s environment and staff were described as “kind and caring”.
But poor staffing levels led to weaknesses in care with “a lack of attention to people's personal presentation.... we saw some people were wearing dirty and stained clothing; some people were walking around in socks or bare feet, and we had to point out to staff members that some people needed their personal care attended to.
“This impacts negatively on people's well-being and does not promote people's dignity.”
Body maps were not used consistently to record new bruising, cuts or abrasions, with the report saying: “We saw significant levels of bruising on people's hands and arms.”
It added: “We saw people sitting for significant periods of time with little engagement. Staff appeared focused on tasks, rather than taking opportunities to sit with people, or engage in an activity.
“Relatives' and residents' feedback said that there was not enough going on in the home.”
Leadership was also “weak” with criticisms of systems in place to monitor care and performance.
The report said: “Leaders did not always take appropriate action when concerns were raised about people's health and welfare, for example, unexplained bruising.
“Some relatives told us they did not feel confident about raising concerns and received limited feedback about actions taken.”
It added: “The staffing levels were insufficient to meet people's current level of need. Staff told us that there were often not enough care staff on shift to support people appropriately.
“People who needed some support to eat often did not receive this. This meant that people may not get adequate nutrition.”
The report indicated that 50 per cent of staff training was out of date, adding: “Staff we spoke with did not have a sound knowledge of how to support people to mobilise safely.
“This put people at risk of harm.”
And there were also insufficient nutritional care plans, with food and fluid charts lacking a clear daily intake target.
The report said: “This meant that staff did not know if people at risk of malnourishment had sufficient food to maintain healthy weights.
“Some were in an awkward position to eat correctly. This heightened the risk of choking and did not support people to have a good food intake.”
Operators Morar Living said the poor rating did not reflect care given at the home.
A spokesman said: “As a provider, we identified areas of concern as part of our self–evaluation, internal quality process on a regular and ongoing basis.
“In May 2024, within Castlehill Care Home, we implemented a robust self-improvement plan and notified the Care Inspectorate of our findings and improvements made prior to the Care Inspectorate visiting the home to carry out an inspection.
“We have made progress and improvements.. and will continue to do so.
“We feel that the grades of ‘weak’ are disproportionate to the delivery of care.
“We are currently seeking advice from the appropriate parties and can assure our residents of the high standard of care that we have provided for the past five years.”
