Family disagrees with Cromarty care home poor report
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
BROTHERS whose mum is in a Highland nursing home, say a report into the care provided does not reflect the love and attention given to residents.
Peter and Alexander Jamieson whose mum, Catherine, moved into Shoremill Care Home in Cromarty on April 7, said they were "shocked" by a Care Inspectorate report that graded it as "weak'.
Shoremill Care Home is home to 13 residents. It has been asked to meet a number of requirements to satisfy inspectors from the Care Inspectorate that it is meeting standards set by the government.
Peter said: "When mum moved into Shoremill, it was a very difficult time for us as my father had passed away some two weeks before and my mother was not capable of looking after herself.
"Coronavirus was at its peak and we had to leave our mother outside the nursing home and wave goodbye from the car. It was an experience my brother and I would not want to go through again and it will not doubt will remain in our minds for some time.
"Like most people in our position we were anxious and worried about our mother's welfare, however we were soon put at ease with daily updates from the home. My brother and I visit my mother every week and at the beginning we were limited to communicating with her through a closed glass window. On some occasions when weather allowed we were given the opportunity to talk to her in the garden grounds which was very comforting.
He continued: "During garden visits we were given necessary protection such as face masks and hand cleanser. We duly completed paperwork with contact numbers and had out temperature taken during these visits. My mother was kept at social distance and we sat well away on bench provided, or mother was seated and observed by staff member.
"I have got to say that I don't see anything else the home could do and both my brother and I are very pleased with the care our mother is getting."
Alexander Jamieson, who owns health and safety specialists Safe Hands, said he was disappointed to read in the Ross-shire Journal about how poorly the home had been graded.
Alexander said: "The problem with the report is that it does not take into account the love and attention that our mum has received since she went into the home. Our father died, and we were providing 24 hour care, seven days a week for our mum.
"We knew that she needed more – and after visiting three care homes we chose this one. In my working life I am a health and safety consultant and I know what I am looking for. What I saw in Shoremill was a home that I am happy to say my mum is safe in. I know
things change and places may fall down in certain areas – but the love, attention and care she has received has been outstanding."
Shoremill is due to report back to the Care Inspectorate in early November, and a report on its progress will be made to the Scottish Government.
