DOZENS of elderly residents of a failing Aberdeen care home are facing a “really distressing” wait to learn their future, after bosses pulled out of running it.
A fortnight ago, after inspectors slammed the Banks O’ Dee care home, Four Seasons Healthcare pledged to fix the problems and claimed to have brought in a “specialist care improvement team”.
But now the firm says it has “reluctantly” decided to cease running the home in Tullos, Aberdeen, rather than address the failings which caused inspectors to issue an urgent Improvement Notice in January.
The Care Inspectorate said male residents were using a corridor to urinate in, which contributed to a ‘strong odour’ throughout the home, and there was ‘no indication’ staff were intervening.
The care watchdog also said some staff lacked warmth, and appeared disinterested, or lacked training and inspectors said for some residents stepping outside for a cigarette was most vigorous exercise they got all day.
The Inspectorate’s report said the home was in a poor state of repair and rated it “weak” on all fronts.
The home housed 58 people when inspectors visited, with half of the accommodation given over to people with dementia. Unless a new operator can be found, they will all have to be rehoused when Four Seasons stops running the home in four weeks time.
A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said it expected all residents to have their needs met. He said recent inspections had raised significant concerns about the quality of care on offer to residents.
“As a result the Care Inspectorate issued an Improvement Notice in January which clearly sets out aspects of care which need to improve swiftly. The Care Inspectorate remains committed to working with the care provider and our partners to ensure the care experienced by residents reaches a standard they have a right to expect. However we have since been informed by the care provider of their intention to cease operating the care home,” he added.
“We understand this is a really distressing time for residents and their loved ones. The needs and rights of residents remain our first priority and we are monitoring the situation closely. In any transition to new care arrangements we expect all residents to have their needs met and their rights respected.”
Four Seasons also claimed the wellbeing of residents was its primary concern.
Chief Operating Officer Amanda Cunningham said: “Our first consideration is for the wellbeing of the people in our care and our colleagues.
“Our proposal to cease operating Banks O’Dee has been reached reluctantly. It is because we have been concerned for some time that the home has not been meeting the standards that we expect our homes to provide and that the Care Inspectorate requires.
We hope another care provider is found to secure the home’s future and, if this happens, we would do everything we could to facilitate a smooth transfer. If no alternative operator is found, then, regrettably, we would begin consultation with colleagues about closure.”
She said the company would work with Aberdeen’s Health and Social Care Partnership to help residents and their families to find fresh accommodation.
A spokeswoman for Aberdeen HSCP said it would work together with partners to provide support and advice to residents and their families.
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