Commission seeks care home closure

Published 13 Nov 2009 11:59 4 Comments

A LOCAL care home may be told to close its doors - after being slammed by watchdog body the Care Commission.

Whim Hall Care Home near West Linton achieved the second lowest rating, weak, in all four categories after being tested by Care Commission inspector Jan McIntosh in June.

And a closure notice is being sought after no progress was found to have been made on the faults identified.

Whim Hall's owners, Guardian Care Homes, who operate five other homes in the Borders, have now drafted a specialist management team in to steer through major improvements.

Cleethorpes Care and Nursing Ltd will oversee the day-to-day running of the home for the next 12 months.

And with immediate effect, they have brought in five more healthcare assistants to boost staffing while its managers will be in the home daily to introduce new systems and staff training.

Gary Hartland, managing director of Guardian, said: "We apologise wholeheartedly to our residents and their families for the failings at Whim Hall.

"We have, over the last 18 months, had a high turnover of managers at Whim Hall, which has unfortunately meant that the changes that we have been trying to make there have not been carried through as they should have been.

However, Lawrie Davidson, Regional Manager with the Care Commission said: "Our priority is to ensure vulnerable people using care services are receiving at least the minimum standards of care set out in the National Care Standards.

"Whim Hall Care Home had five inspections between April 2008 -March 2009, three more than the statutory minimum.

"It was found to be providing poor care standards and we have worked intensively with the home to address these problems. However, it has shown little improvement.

"As a result we are now working with our legal team to draw up a proposal to cancel the care home's registration, effectively removing its license to operate.

"Our priority will be to safeguard the safety, privacy and dignity of the 29 residents currently in the home and we are working with SBC to ensure the residents are found suitable alternative care should the closure of this service be completed."

SBC Older People's Champion, Willie Archibald said upon hearing the news: "This is very upsetting. The wellbeing and care of our elderly should be paramount and I'm very disturbed to hear about this.

"Residents can rest assured though that they will be looked after."

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 13 Nov 09

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Diane Morris
  Unregistered User
  Nov 14, 12:14
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  Not before time, I wouldn't put my cat in there. Should have been shut down years ago.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Michael Meme
  Unregistered User
  Nov 22, 12:13
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  Owners of some care homes believe in only their profit, not the care of the residents. I am very appalled by they way this company has treated these vulnerable adults.... I am a Senior Nurse working a for a Nursing home, we do not jeopardise the care of our resident to increase profit only..... I always tell my staff to think how they would like to be treated should they be admitted to a care home. This home can be changed around, it requires up-grading to single room with An-suite, a good leader that can ensure they standard is met, refurbishment of the equipments, carpets, etc.... a good chef with proper training, a training officer who has got SVQ assessor levels and Moving and Handling training/Assessor, the list can go on and on to be able to raise the level. But first of all, I think suspension/closure is the right action to be taken and start from scratch.... ( Wished I could help these elderly people)
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Rosemary Marwick Relative Nov 28 09
  Unregistered User
  Nov 28, 16:54
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  It would be wrong to close this Care Home. My Relative is very happy.This is because the carers are kind, gentle, and some smile all the time.The atmosphere is relaxed and calm. The rooms ARE Ensuite, my Mother loves her room, which is light, with new light coloured furniture, not the heavy dark stuff as in many Homes, and she got a new bed this week,not a hospital bed.
  
  There is a great deal to be done, and it CAN be done, to bring it back to Grade One but everyone is trying. Suspension/closure would only cause unnecessary suffering to the Residents when they are quite happy at the moment.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Ann
  Unregistered User
  Nov 30, 21:10
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  My mother inlaw passed away in Whim Hall, she was very happy there. But I was very disappointed in the way some things were handled as she was left in her room she passed away at 4.30pm left till the next day midday. When we went in to see the manager he did not have any compasion nor did he offer any condolances. He is in the wrong Job!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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