Elderly care home given 'weak' rating
Julie Gilbert • Published 11 Nov 2011 10:00
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A care home for the elderly was judged as 'weak' for quality of care and staffing arrangements.
Mount Pleasant House, in Old Kilpatrick, was assessed in an unannounced visit by the Care Inspectorate.
The inspector spoke to residents and relatives while there and received a mixed bag of responses.
One resident said: "Activities here? You must be joking". Another said: "I can't remember the last time I was outside."
Relatives and carers also had concerns, with one saying: "The standard of care is inconsistent - it depends who's on."
Another added: "The presence of staff is variable - there have been times when there are no staff upstairs and you can't find anyone."
Another relative said: "I don't see much in the way of activities - there should be more happening."
The inspection took place in July this year, and a report is going before West Dunbartonshire Council's Health Committee on Wednesday November 16.
The Care Inspectorate gave Mount Pleasant House a grade of two out of five for both quality of care and support, and quality of staffing.
The inspector's report said that a review of staffing provision should be carried out to ensure quality of care for residents, and also that staff be trained in creating activities for residents with dementia.
The report also stated that the home must ensure a programme of social and recreational activities informed by the needs, choices and preferences of service users be devised and implemented.
Despite the criticisms the inspector found the overall that there was a comfortable and caring ethos in the home.
Many residents and relatives also had positive comments about the home.
One resident said: "Staff are all very nice - they join in with you and keep you going."
Another said: "The food's fine - they get you something else if you don't want it - scrambled eggs or something."
One relative said: "I don't have any complaints about the home or the staff."
Another added: "It's kept clean and the food seems to be good."
An action plan has been drawn up to address the issues raised.
Councillors on the Health Committee are being asked to note the contents of the report, with a report stating that progress will be monitored.
This article appeared in Clydebank Post 09 Nov 11
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