A crisis-hit care home was officially closed by a sheriff yesterday – and its former manager has been told not to take on any mangerial roles elsewhere.
Muirhead Care Home near Alford closed its doors last month amid allegations of mismanagement.
The facility’s manager Shona Pearson, has since been told by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) that she cannot hold a senior role in another care home for 18 months following a formal hearing on August 28.
The decision said the NMC case examiners were “yet to decide” whether there would be a case to answer in relation to the allegations made against Mrs Pearson.
The Care Inspectorate had taken emergency action to close the 35-bedroom care home after a spot inspection carried out in July highlighted damning failings – a move they said they would only do in “exeptional circumstances”.
During the spot-check they found “serious concerns” relating to food and nutrition and “numerous hazards”.
Yesterday at Aberdeen Sheriff Court the application made by the Care Inspectorate to cancel the owner’s registration was granted.
Staff spoke to the Press and Journal as they walked away from the vacated care home last month and spoke of their concerns highlighting that they themselves had phoned the Care Inspectorate to highlight fears over food shortages.
A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate last night said: “The quality of care experienced by people living at Muirhead care home was unacceptable and posed a serious risk to people’s health, safety and wellbeing.
“In response, it was necessary to seek the emergency cancellation of the care home’s registration in the courts to safeguard residents’ welfare.
“This is not something the Care Inspectorate did lightly, and we appreciate the impact that this will have had on former residents and their loved ones.
“We have worked closely with Aberdeenshire health and social care partnership to support residents to move into alternative care arrangements.
“We note that at Aberdeen Sheriff Court the sheriff today granted our application to cancel this service’s registration, under Section 65 of the Public Services Reform Act.
“Anyone with a concern can contact us on 0345 600 9527.”