A Skye care home where 10 people died of coronavirus is in the process of being taken over by the NHS.
HC-One, the operators of the Home Farm facility in Portree, confirmed last night it is in advanced talks with NHS Highland about its future running.
It follows a decision by the Care Inspectorate to drop a legal action to remove HC-One as the home operators.
A court move was made to cancel HC-One’s registration following an inspection in May which raised serious concerns about the running of the home.
But the Care Inspectorate said it is no longer pursuing the case.
A spokesman said there has been considerable improvement in the quality of care: “In light of this we have decided to no longer pursue the cancellation of the service’s registration through the courts.”
Since the May inspection, NHS Highland has been helping to run Home Farm and talks have been held involving the health board, Highland Council and the Scottish Government about it being taken over.
A HC-One spokesman said: “We are in advanced discussions with NHS Highland as we believe that a transfer of responsibility for Home Farm will be in the best and most sustainable interests of residents and colleagues at the home.”
He said the firm has committed considerable resources to improve standards at the home and has worked in a voluntary partnership with NHS Highland to make the improvements.
“It is of the utmost importance that these improvements are sustained so that residents at Home Farm receive the service they expect and deserve for the long term.”
No statement was issued yesterday by NHS Highland. But Skye MP Ian Blackford said he believed good progress is being made on the transfer.
“I believe transferring responsibility is an important step and that all parties involved are working towards this.
“Now the court action has been withdrawn I do expect to see the long term future of the home being secured with the public sector securing that future.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant added: “I have been advised by HC-One that they have reached a preliminary agreement with NHS Highland to transfer ownership.”
“I am pleased that HC-one have acknowledged difficulties they faced providing the required standard of care in Skye and have agreed to transfer the home’s ownership in the interests of their staff and residents.”
Constituency MSP Kate Forbes said the priorities now are to maintain a high level of care at the home and determine its future ownership and management.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said support from the Care Inspectorate and NHS Highland resulted in sustained improvements in the safety and wellbeing of residents.
Home Farm Care Home: What happened
May 12. Care Inspectorate carries out an unannounced inspection at Home Farm which raised serious concerns about the running of the facility.
May 13. NHS Highland and home operators HC-One said they had agreed a partnership approach to “quickly and effectively” address the situation at the home. NHS Highland helping to provide social care management, nursing leadership and direct care.
May 15. It was confirmed that a tenth resident at Home Farm had died from coronavirus.
May 20. Care inspectorate raises a court action at Inverness Sheriff Court to remove HC-One’s operating licence. The case is deferred to allow concerns to be addressed.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman announced she was seeking emergency powers to allow the Scottish Government to take over failing care homes when lives are at risk from Covid-19.
June 10 – Legal case deferred again after the sheriff was told not all concerns had been resolved.
Families of home residents claim they are being excluded from decision-making on the facility’s future.
June 24. Court case deferred again until August 21.
July 6. Some residents’ families receive a letter from HC-One director John Kirk apologising for the level of care and service provided. He said he is “extremely disappointed” with the findings outlined in the Care Inspectorate’s report, which he said may be “upsetting” for families to read.
August 18. Care Inspectorate drop the legal action against HC-One, saying there has been “considerable improvement“ in the quality of care and issues were putting them at “serious risk” have been addressed.
No date given for release of initial inspection report
