Residents are being left to their own devices in a urine-soaked Aberdeen care home, sparking serious concerns for their wellbeing.
And now, the Care Inspectorate has ordered staff at Banks O’ Dee in Tullos to make urgent improvements, citing a plethora of “serious” concerns.
It has threatened the facility with closure if significant improvements are not made within the next six weeks.
The news follows a string of poor inspections for the facility which has had its levels of care, environment, staffing and management all rated sub-par in the last year.
This included an unannounced visit in September where staff were told a corridor had: “A strong smell of urine, because some of the men were doing the toilet there.”
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Fears were also raised regarding the residents’ daily routines, with many being left with no stimulation to the detriment of their quality of life.
The inspector noted: “Some residents did go outside to smoke, but that was the limit of their daily exercise.”
Banks O’ Dee has been given a deadline of March 11 to implement major changes.
The Care Inspectorate told the facility that, unless it sees significant improvements, it “intends to make a proposal to cancel your registration”.
It has laid out a series of demands including ensuring it has “sufficient numbers of competent and qualified staff” working there at all times.
The watchdog has ordered the care home to ensure its residents are encouraged to take part in activities and that their care plans reflect their “wishes and choices”.
Banks O’ Dee has also been given six weeks to ensure the premises are “odour free”.
Four Seasons Health Care, which operates the facility, said a specialist care improvement team has been drafted in to advise on “all aspects” of care provision. Staff are also reviewing care plans to ensure the residents’ wishes are being met.
A spokesman said: “As an organisation, we have robust systems, procedures and documentation to support a high standard of care and the improvement team will have oversight to ensure they are being properly followed in the home.”
He added that “local difficulties” had led to a reliance on temp workers, exacerbating the problems.
A Care Inspectorate spokesman said: “The improvement notice we have issued clearly lays out the improvements we must see so that the care experienced by residents improves quickly.
“We will visit this care home again soon to check on progress and if we are not satisfied the matters raised are being addressed urgently, will not hesitate to take further action.
“Everyone in Scotland has the right to safe, compassionate care which meets their needs and respects their rights.
“Anyone with a concern can contact our helpline on 0345 600 9527.”
