'Many errors' found in handling of medication at Nairn care home

Concerns over the handling of medication and limited opportunities for activities have contributed towards a poor inspection report for a Nairn care home.

Manor Care Centre in Cawdor Road provides a care home service for up to 43 people in two separate purpose-built buildings.

Larkfield cares for people with sensory and physical impairment while Hermitage is for those with a learning disability and/or physical impairment.

Run by Nevisbridge Limited, part of the Meallmore group, an unannounced inspection took place between May 20 and 23 by the Care Inspectorate.

The home was rated weak in terms of supporting people's wellbeing and leadership and adequate for the quality of its staff team and care and support planning.

It was judged good in terms of setting.

Among the most serious shortcomings noted inspectors said: "We found many errors when we sampled medication. For example, counts were incorrect which meant sometimes people had received less or more medication; medication administration records were not always signed; a person was offered their morning medication twice when we were inspecting."

Elsewhere they added: "People's care and support was compromised because their plan of care was not always being followed.

"Staff at times lacked understanding around people's health and wellbeing, so some opportunities to improve their health were missed.

"For instance, where people experienced pain, staff did not use a pain assessment tool, nor did they record the efficacy of medication.

"We were not confident people's pain was being managed effectively."

They also found: "People's views and preferences were not always apparent in day-to-day practice. For example, there were limited opportunities to take part in activities, even though some people wanted something to do.

"Getting the most out of life should be a strong feature within the care home.

"People spent a lot of their time listening to radios or watching the television.

"People and their families commented on the lack of things to do: 'I wish there was more to do, but there is rarely anything' and 'I do wonder what happens here at times, because I don't see things happening when I visit'."

On the plus side inspectors heard the home was about to introduce an "activities framework" to help focus on improvements.

They also noted that staff "interacted with people in ways which were appropriate, kind, and compassionate" despite staffing pressures including staff calling in sick "on a regular basis".

Also on the positive side they reported: "People had plenty to eat and drink.

"Staff recorded intake of food and fluids to a high standard.

"Staff had improved how they monitored and recorded skin integrity concerns for people, which had a

positive impact on people's health."

The home was told to improve in a number of areas, with deadlines set for changes to be made.

Inspectors said: "By 2 August 2023, the provider must ensure they keep people safe and healthy by ensuring medication is handled and administered correctly."

As part of this they must ensure staff are confident and skilled to continually administer medication safely.

The home is also required by the same date to look at staffing to "ensure that people's needs are met by the right number of people" by attempting to arrange shift cover as appropriate when this is identified as an issue and that contingency arrangements are reviewed and updated.

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