A care home in Aberdeenshire has been told it must make improvements after the quality of care and support it provided to residents was graded ‘weak’ by inspectors.

The Care Inspectorate carried out a high intensity inspection at Durnhythe care home, a care service for older people, earlier this year. It found that the quality of care and support provided was ‘weak,’ the second lowest possible grade.

It is the second inspection in a row where inspectors graded the quality of care and support provided as weak. In their most recent report, inspectors noted:

“The service is currently performing at a weak level in the areas of care and support, staffing, and management and leadership.

“The provider needs to continue to address these areas of poor performance as a matter of priority in order to improve positive safe outcomes and reduce potential risks for all the residents.

” A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said: “We continue to have concerns about this service and are monitoring them closely to ensure they take action to meet the standards we expect.

“We note that a new manager has been appointed and we have received an appropriate action plan outlining how the service intends to improve.

“We will be inspecting again soon and if we are not satisfied that improvements are being made quickly on the areas we have highlighted, we will not hesitate to take further action.

“Everyone in Scotland has the right to safe, compassionate care which meets their needs and respects their rights.

“Anyone with a concern about a care service can contact our helpline on 0345 600 9527.