Inverness’s Castlehill Care Home making ‘consistent’ and ‘effective’ improvements, says Care Inspectorate after second surprise visit following earlier warning
A care home that was previously at risk of having its registration withdrawn has continued to make “consistent” and “effective” improvements - a fresh surprise inspection has found.
Castlehill Care Home, in Inverness, had been warned in June last year that its registration to operate was at risk unless significant improvements were made after it was graded “weak” in several areas - although at the time the then operators, Morar Living, objected to “substantial” parts of this report.
Nevertheless, a series of improvements were ordered, with inspectors giving the home until later in the year to finish enacting them.
A first surprise visit in November revealed that improvements had been made at the home, which is now run by Simply Inverness Ltd and cares for up to 88 elderly residents.
And now a second unannounced visit, this time at the start of February, has revealed that those improvements have continued - with the home rated “adequate” in three out of four categories, and “good” in the other.
Inspectors from the Care Inspectorate also said that required improvements had been met, but added new follow-up requirements in a couple of areas.
Outlining their key findings they said: “Staff had developed meaningful relationships with people. People were supported by a team of care staff who knew them well.
“The service had developed effective relationships with allied professionals [and] the environment was homely, clean and comfortable.”
Although they added that a couple of areas require a little work: “Communication needed to improve to ensure people's support was consistent. Personal support plans needed further development to reflect people's choices and preferences.”
The home's setting was rated as "good", with its support for people's wellbeing, its leadership, and its planned care and support all scored as "adequate".
Describing the staff’s work to ensure people’s wellbeing, the inspectors said: “Staff treated people with compassion, and we saw positive relationships between staff and people living in Castlehill.
“Staff were kind and attentive, supporting people at their own pace. This was confirmed by relatives and people living in the care home.
“It was clear that core staff knew people's needs well and we saw several staff members support people who were upset or disoriented sensitively. This helps people feel safe. Throughout the inspection we observed staff responding to people politely and respectfully and where appropriate, with shared humour.”
But despite this praise, and confirming that a previous requirement - to ensure “systems effectively supported people when their health needs changed” - had been met, the inspectors also issued a follow-up requirement.
This was because they could not see sufficient evidence that staff had “consistently evaluated” the success of pain relief that had been administered, and asked for improved pain assessment evaluations to ensure this is achieved.
Elsewhere, inspectors said there had been “consistent” improvements in the home’s leadership, and “strong” improvements in its setting, and made no follow up requirements in those areas.
But although the Care Inspectorate confirmed that the rating for the home’s planning of its care and support had improved from “weak” to “adequate”, it said a further improvement is needed.
“Care plans were factual and up to date, however, there was limited references to what goals were important to people and did not always reflect individual's unique needs, preferences, and outcomes,” explained inspectors. “It was clear that care staff did not routinely read the care plans.
“The service was using a high number of agency staff, who were not always familiar with people's care needs. If important information is not easily accessible, shared or passed on accurately this may have a negative impact on people.”
It said the home will need to ensure that important information is passed on accurately to the whole team, including new or agency staff. And that care plans are tailored to individuals and that personal plans include outcomes important to people.
Unlike last year’s requirements, no deadline was given for the new ones to be met.
