Inspectors tell nursing home: take better care of residents

Published on Tuesday 12 August 2008 10:23

A LOTHIANS care home has been told to make urgent improvements after an investigation by the Care Commission uncovered "serious" concerns about care quality.

The commission said it uncovered inadequate staffing levels and disorganised medical notes following complaints about Drummohr Nursing Home in Wallyford, East Lothian.

Investigators also found that care staff had failed to give a resident oxygen for three-and-a-half hours, and allowed another to develop serious pressure sores.

After upholding several complaints against the home, which is owned by Southern Cross Healthcare, the Care Commission said it needed to take immediate action to improve standards.

The news comes as Southern Cross announced that profits had risen 24 per cent in the 40-week-period up to July 6. The company is expected to make pre-tax profits of 53 million this year.

Lawrie Davidson, the Care Commission's regional manager, said: "We have a number of serious concerns about the quality of care being delivered. These have been raised both during our own inspections and as a result of complaints we have investigated.

"We are currently working extremely closely with the care home management, with Southern Cross, and with East Lothian Council to ensure improvements are made immediately."

Registered nurse Louise Sibbald, 50, of Pilrig, told the Evening News she quit her job at the home last month due to concerns over the standard of care. She said she had repeatedly raised concerns with the management and had also written to the Care Commission.

She said: "I've come on at night and found I was the only nurse on duty. I was working with two young care assistants who had very little experience."

The Care Commission upheld four complaints against the home in June, and partially upheld another two. It made four visits to the home in May and June.

It found a resident's pressure ulcer was not being effectively managed. It also found a resident was left waiting for oxygen because they did not have the correct equipment.

It said nursing notes were "poor and disorganised" and staffing was inadequate. On one occasion, a staff member was recorded as working, but the Commission found they were not on duty.

It partially upheld complaints about dirty wheelchairs.

A spokesman for Drummohr Care Home said: "Following an inspection by the Care Commission ten days ago we were informed that seven requirements highlighted during a previous inspection have now been met and three partially met.

"We will continue working closely with the Care Commission and East Lothian Council to ensure the delivery of a quality service to all our residents."