Edinburgh care home rated 'unsatisfactory' for infection control and PPE during Covid-19 inspection
An Edinburgh care home has been labelled “unsatisfactory” by the Care Inspectorate in a damning report which says management have failed to adequately protect residents from infection.
Claremont Park, run by Claremont Park Ltd, is registered to care for 33 people but was found to not have responded to criticisms outlined in an official letter of “serious concern” from the Care Inspectorate in August.
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Hide AdThe care home, one of 26 inspected in the final two weeks of August, was the only home to be rated “unsatisfactory” for infection prevention and control measures as part of the inspector’s requirement to examine how well a care home is dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was also criticised for the cleanliness of the care home and a lack of social stimulation for residents in the home.
The report states: “There were serious concerns relating to the cleanliness of the furnishings and equipment used to support people living in the home.
"We also had concerns that staff were not fully complying with current guidance on infection prevention and control and did not fully understand safe practices with regards to PPE.
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Hide Ad"There was a lack of social stimulation for people, leaving some people isolated for long periods at a time. A review of staffing should be undertaken to ensure that there are enough staff to meet the needs of people living in the service.”
The report adds that despite an official letter saying the home required improvement, there was only limited progress found nine days later during a follow-up inspection.
It states: “We made a further visit to the service on 17 August, to follow up on the improvements we had required. At that time, we found that there had been some progress made by the provider, but this was limited and did not fully address the serious concerns identified.
“We issued an improvement notice on 26 August as the service had failed to progress the issues in the letter of serious concern. The improvement notice details the required improvements in relation to the cleanliness of the environment and equipment, infection control practices the use of PPE and the management and leadership of the service, including assurance systems.”
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Hide AdScottish Conservative’ MSP for the Lothians, Miles Briggs, said the report was “deeply concerning” and added it was “vital” necessary improvements are made.
He said: “This is deeply concerning that full PPE and infection prevention is not being followed at this care home.
“Since the outbreak of Covid-19 the highest number of Covid-19 related deaths have been in care homes, where residents are more vulnerable to the virus than the rest of the population.
“It is vital the necessary improvements are made at Claremont Park nursing home immediately and staff are fully trained and following PPE and infection prevention guidance strictly.”
Claremont Park nursing home was contacted for comment.
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