Specialist care inspectors found improvements at the Pentland Hill Nursing Home in Edinburgh, but stress that some changes are still required to improve the quality of care for residents. The Care Inspectorate today published its latest report on the home, which remains closed to new residents, and where an improvement notice remains in force.
The Care Inspectorate uncovered serious concerns about the home during a routine, unannounced inspection last year, and warned the home that it faced imminent closure unless standards were improved.
The inspection report released today relates to an unannounced inspection undertaken on 20 December 2013 by a team of eight specialists, including care inspectors and professional advisers in nutrition, tissue viability and pharmacy. The report notes that, while the team found some improvements, more work is needed to make them consistent and sustained and ensure residents enjoy a good quality of life.
A number of immediate requirements have been met within the timescales previously set, including ensuring bedding is fit for purpose, the garden is safe for residents, complaints are addressed properly, and notifications are made to the Care Inspectorate as necessary. Inspectors were encouraged by the plans to improve the way residents and relatives are listened to.
Specialist health advisers saw improvements in preventing and treating pressure sores, but require further work to improve care. Pharmacists saw a general improvement in the way medicines are administered and recorded, but warned that all medicines must be given as prescribed. Nutrition specialists found staff more confident in supporting underweight residents, but require more personalised diets for residents needing additional calories.
Dr Robert Peat, Director of Inspection, said:
“We have seen evidence of changes in how Pentland Hill is run, including a new manager, which is welcome. Overall, the home has made some progress but we need to see greater and faster improvements so the changes are sustained and consistent. Every person is entitled to high-quality, safe care that is compassionate.
“We seriously considered whether to use our powers to request that a Sheriff closes this home, but determined on balance that the best outcome for residents is to continue to drive improvements, providing they can be made quickly. Closing a care home is always an option in the most serious cases, but this brings many risks for vulnerable and frail residents as a move to new care facilities can impact on a person's well-being and quality of life.
“The improvement notice remains in force and we will not adjust the grades until we see evidence of sustained improvement.
"Our report is published online and anyone with concerns can contact us on 0345 6009527.
“We continue to work closely with the NHS and the care home to support further improvements.
“Our inspectors continue to closely monitor the home, including inspecting unannounced, and will not hesitate to act further and quickly if necessary.”
Notes to Editors
The inspection report can be found here