Shocking details of conditions at an Inverness care home closed by court order revealed

Inspectors said conditions at Elmgrove Care Home in Inverness posed a serious risk to the lives of residents.

The Care Inspectorate has released the findings of an inspection into the former Elmgrove Care Home in the city's Ballifeary Road that led to it being shut and the 25 residents rehomed in the autumn.

The service provided by Marchmont Homes Ltd and owned by Eleanor MacKay, was found to be unsatisfactory across the board.

The report stated: "We identified wide ranging, serious failings and concluded that there was a serious risk to the vulnerable older peoples' life, health and wellbeing."

The report found:

• n The service failed to provide the right care and the residents, all women, suffered physical harm and emotional distress.
• n one resident sustained a serious injury while alone in a dark corridor.
• n a person with dementia was injured after leaving the building unnoticed through a faulty fire door on at least two occasions.
• n Fire Scotland identified a serious fire risk at the home but the provider refused to follow advice on this.
• n accidents and incidents were not reviewed to prevent them happening again.
• n insufficient staffing had adversely impacted on care, including support with continence needs, hydration, nutrition, and pain management.
• n the provider and manager failed to ensure residents received nutritious meals with claims from staff that were told to cook meals using spoilt vegetables and not to buy cakes and biscuits as they were "luxury" items.

For more see the Highland News

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