Borders nursing home rated 'weak' by inspectors

by DOUGLAS SHEPHERD

A Galashiels nursing home had to be given a deep clean after a team of inspectors discovered food debris  under tables and chairs and on the dining room floor, according to a report from Scotland's Care Inspectorate.

And the unannounced inspection earlier this month also found residents were eating and drinking from plastic plates and cups. The report states: "People having meals in their rooms were served their meal without any tray or table which resulted in them having to hold plate with one hand and using the other to hold cutlery and eat. This was despite bedside tables being available.”

Galashiels Nursing Home, which currently has 30 people receiving care is run by Edinburgh-based Pryce & Co. Ltd. 

As the Inspectorate report points out the home's mission statement declares: "Galashiels Nursing Home provides a safe and secure environment, and professional nursing care in homely, and comfortable surroundings. Individuality and independence are both assisted, and encouraged, with privacy and dignity being respected at all times. Residents in our care are encouraged to prolong vitality, with physical and mental activity". 

Following the inspection, carried out over two days, the three inspectors rated the home 'weak' in all aspects covered by the visit with a score of only two out of a possible six.

Some people living in the home who were able to give feedback said the staff were nice, very attentive, but always busy. There was a lack of meaningful activity, and they [the residents] had little to do.

"There were some people who said that staff sometimes had time to spend chatting with them, but this was generally not the case and we saw there were a number of people who spent the day in their room with little or no interaction out with care tasks. There appears to be an acceptance from people that this is normal."

The report concedes that staff were well-meaning in their actions and clearly wanted to take care of people. However, the care was routine, task led and not person centred. As a result, people did not always get the care and support that was right for them. The care staff were caring and considerate when engaging in direct care. There was a lack of meaningful interactions out-with fundamental care because there was not enough staff.

"Staff were too busy to spend quality time with the people they supported. This meant people were left by themselves, often in their rooms, for large parts of the day. This showed an overall lack of respect for the care of people supported and weak practice."

And: "People who experienced stress and distress, depression or anxiety were not always supported and cared for in a way that was right for them."

A section of the report concerning cleanliness includes the following statement: "The home was not cleaned to an acceptable standard. There was food debris under tables and chairs and on the dining room floor. Some mattresses and bedding were stained, and bedding was of poor quality. Not all bathrooms in use had soap in them, which is an essential part of handwashing. A deep clean of the home was organised after our first visit on 11 August."

A list of requirements has been handed to the home's management by the Inspectorate.

The service provider must ensure that people are treated with respect and dignity, says the report. In order to achieve this, by 30 September 2021, the provider must ensure that: "Mealtime experiences are improved for people living in the home, including where people choose to eat in their rooms.

"Any person who chooses to eat in their room must have an appropriate table to eat from. Appropriate crockery should be available. Crockery and cutlery should reflect people’s choice and promote their dignity, and plastic cups and plates should only be used if people are assessed as needing these.

"By September 30th - People (service users) are supported, have an opportunity to engage in meaningful activities and socialise with others in the home. - There are sufficient numbers of staff to support people’s (service user’s) preferences of activities, health, welfare and safety. This includes ensuring they are supported to stay connected with those important to them by facilitating open visiting and outings from the care home with no restrictions."