Inspectors have told managers of a Perth care home they must improve standards after identifying a number of shortcomings.
The Care Inspectorate has determined bosses of Kincairney House must meet four requirements for improvements to be made after two of its staff paid an unannounced visit a month ago.
The pair took a tour of the 80-bed facility on Glover Street on July 24 and 25 and judged standards of support of people’s wellbeing, leadership of the workforce and vetting of staff to be “weak” in a follow-up report published earlier this month.
Discussing the standards of support of people’s wellbeing the inspectors said they had “significant concerns” relating to staff monitoring, particularly at night-time.
Their report said: “We had significant concerns in relation to the monitoring of people’s care and support, particularly in relation to overnight personal care and support and food intake monitoring.
“Although records were kept of people’s food and fluid intake, there was no monitoring of this or evidence of actions taken in response to reduced food intake or lack of personal care being carried out.
“Two people had personal care detailed to be carried out three hourly in their care plan; however, on occasions this had not taken place for 12 hours.
“For one person there was no records of any dietary intake for 24 hours.”
Moving on to discuss leadership of the facility, the inspection report went on: “We found that communication was lacking and the rationale for changes not always clear and sufficiently detailed.
“For example: senior management made decision[s] to have people change the floor they were living on, some people had been living in the home for a year and had settled into their room and setting and family members described this as very upsetting and confusing for their loved one.
“Consultation with people and their relatives had been limited and people were given only one week’s notice of this happening.
“Relatives stated they felt they had been given no choice in this decision and that if they complained, their parent may be asked to leave the home.
“Other comments included how poor communication was. People clearly felt they had little influence on decisions made and the impact this had on them.”
Turning to the subject of staff the report continued: “The service provider needed to improve their recruitment practice.
“Recruitment records of newly appointed staff demonstrated that some staff had commenced employment prior to all the necessary checks being in place.
“Key elements of safe recruitment had not been followed, which included completing the ‘Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme’ membership (PVG).
“Generic risk assessments were in place for staff awaiting PVG checks that lacked the detail required to safeguard both the employee and the people being cared for.
“Lack of appropriate checks may put people at risk.”
The Care Inspectorate has now told managers they must ensure care plans are being implemented daily and effective systems are put in place so people are kept fully aware of any changes coming down the line.
The body has also instructed management to review their recruitment records and complete the necessary safety checks on all their staff.
The PA has approached Morar Living, the owners of Kincairney House, for a response to the Care Inspectorate’s findings.
