A care home in Inverclyde could lose its registration over “serious and significant” safety concerns. An unannounced inspection by the Care Inspectorate in April found that Larkfield View Care Centre in Greenock, which was caring for 89 elderly residents at the time, was putting residents at risk.
Serious concerns raised
A serious letter of concern was issued to the home on April 15. Following further monitoring, the Care Inspectorate has submitted an application to the sheriff court seeking cancellation of the provider’s registration of the care home.
A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said the move could allow new care arrangements to be put in place for residents living in the home.
Inspectors' findings
“We understand this is a difficult and distressing time for residents, their loved ones and staff at the home,” a spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said. “However, our first priority is always the health, safety and wellbeing of residents.
“We are working closely with partners including Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership to ensure the residents experience appropriate care that meets their needs during this difficult time. Everyone in Scotland has the right to good quality, safe care that meets their needs and respects their rights.”
Risks identified
The inspection report from April found Larkfield View had “committed staff and pockets of good practice”, but inspectors said “systemic weaknesses in leadership, governance, staffing analysis and risk management outweighed this”.
“Without sustained, outcome-focused improvement, people would remain at risk of avoidable harm,” the report said. The inspection report found significant concerns about nutrition and hydration, the management of falls and medication.
Inspectors said unsafe nutrition and hydration practices were observed, which meant that people were at risk of choking or aspiration. The quality of the physical environment did not provide a safe, clean or dignified setting for people to live in.
“We identified widespread and serious concerns relating to cleanliness, infection prevention and control, and food safety,” inspectors said. “Bathrooms, toilets, kitchens and communal areas were observed to be dirty and poorly maintained. Food was stored unsafely, equipment was heavily worn or rusted, and environmental conditions compromised staff’s ability to clean effectively.
“These conditions posed a direct risk to people’s health and wellbeing.”
Medication and falls
The report also found that medication practices were “unclear” and that “inappropriate” administration methods were being used. Inspectors also said “falls were frequent, often unwitnessed and did not always lead to effective review or changes in care”.
“Patterns in falls data, including timing and injury severity, were not consistently analysed or used to reduce risk,” the report said. “In several cases, restrictive practices such as lap belts and bed rails had been introduced, without robust multi-disciplinary assessment, clear evidence of least restrictive practice or lawful consent. This placed people supported at risk of further harm.”
A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said anyone with a concern about a care service can call the watchdog on 0345 600 9527. Holmes Care Group Scotland Ltd, the provider for Larkfield View Care Centre, and Inverclyde Council have been contacted for comment.
