A north-east care home has been found to have serious failings among staff.
Pitmurchie House, Torphins, was visited by the Care Inspectorate in March, and the organisation’s findings have now been published.
The inspectors graded the home’s quality of staffing “weak” and ordered management to make drastic improvements, with three other areas deemed adequate.
But care home bosses say they have already made major strides towards improving the situation at the home.
The facility, which is in a large Victorian House, currently accommodates 26 pensioners, some of whom suffer from dementia.
The report was critical of the high staff turnover at the home, with too much of a dependence on agency staff.
Inspectors also found there were “significant shortcomings” in ensuring that staff suitable for the job were hired.
On a number of occasions, bosses had failed to properly investigate and report complaints and allegations from residents, which related to adult protection issues.
In addition, there were failings identified in record-keeping for carers, with some starting their employment prior to PVG checks being completed.
The report also highlighted flaws in moving forward with staff training.
There were five requirements from the Care Inspectorate in relation to this area.
However the inspectors did acknowledge that there had been “extraordinary demands” on new management who had taken over a service which had significantly declined in recent months.
But the report warned that care home bosses must continue to improve their management of the home to ensure the safeguarding of the welfare of the people living in the home.
Last night, the care home provider stressed it had “completely transformed” the staff at the facility.
Advina Health Care chief executive Len Merton said: “Our staffing situation has improved and we’re confident our rating will improve as a result.
“The main issue was that we had a number of overseas staff and we have completely transformed that where we have improved
recruitment to local staff and we no longer have the need for agency usage.
“That provides us with a confidence that the inspectorate will improve the rating.”
