Residents of an Aberdeenshire care home are being put at risk by cables running across the floor, inspectors have found.
The Care Inspectorate recently carried out an unannounced visit to the Grove Care Home in Kemnay following a poor report earlier this year, where they were given a “weak” rating.
Although they noted some improvements in the cleanliness of residents and the food being served, they still had some concern and ranked the home as “adequate”.
In particular, they felt that extension cables were a trip hazard and put residents at unnecessary risk.
They also had concern about the smell in one of the en-suites.
Identifying risks to people’s health or comfort
Inspectors said in their report: “We felt that staff had not taken the appropriate action to address some areas of concern with the environment. For example, one person’s en-suite toilet was very malodorous and this had not been reported. This meant that the malodour continued to impact on this person’s comfort.
“We found many rooms had extension cables used and these were unsafely trailing across floors. This increased the risk of falls.
“Staff development should be undertaken to ensure that staff awareness of their role and responsibility in identifying and acting on areas of the environment that pose a risk to people’s health or comfort.”
Failings were also found in the staff’s lack of observation and consistency in reporting and monitoring falls.
The report continued: “The appropriate level of observation and obtaining of observations were not always completed. This increased the risk of any deterioration in the health and well-being not being identified. Improvements are needed to ensure that after a fall, to ensure that any change in people’s health can be quickly identified.”
The recommendations come just three months after staff came under fire by inspectors for their lack of respectful, dignified, or compassionate care.
A step in the right direction
During that visit in August, inspectors found some residents appeared to be unwashed with unbrushed hair and wore unironed clothes.
They were being provided with meals inspectors described as “poorly made and were visually unappealing.”
In this most recent visit, inspectors noted an improvement and said the needs of residents was now being better met.
Their report states: “Staff had taken time and provided the appropriate level of support to help people look their best. People’s washing and dressing needs were now being met to a standard that was right for them.”
The quality and variety of meals delivered at the home has also now reached an adequate standard, leaving people happy and content.
Inspectors noted the meals “looked more appetising and were presented nicely” and were being delivered in a more relaxed and sociable dining experience.
Rating leadership at the home as “adequate”, the inspectors said they could see management was working to improve the way complaints are handled.
They added: “Staff appeared unhurried and took their time to attend to people’s needs at a pace that the person wanted.
“This meant that people were relaxed and comfortable when assistance from staff was needed.”
Care home operators Meallmore said they will continue to build on their progress.
A spokeswoman said: “The safety and well-being of our residents continues to be our priority. Our team have been focused on positive changes as agreed at the last Care Inspectorate visit and we are very pleased their work has been recognised by the increased grades in this report.
“Of course, we will continue to build on our progress to ensure our staff consistently provide the very best care for our residents and we thank our staff team for their continued hard work and dedication.”
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