There is a "significant risk of records being misinterpreted" at Clydebank's flagship care home, a recent inspection has found.
An unannounced set of checks by the Care Inspectorate at Queens Quay House, which is operated by West Dunbartonshire Council, across three days in December last year found that the "electronic system implemented for care planning could only be accessed by permanent staff and not by agency staff".
The national scrutiny body for care in Scotland stated that "this meant agency staff working with people were unable to follow that person's agreed plan of care and any associated risk assessments."
This included any assessed special diets to prevent choking, along with records to ensure that re-positioning to support good skin integrity had been carried out.
Inspectors were also told that "agency staff were writing down any care and support they delivered that day inconsistently, including on 'scraps of paper'".
This resulted in the care home being rated as adequate in the planning category and receiving two requirements.
By April 27, 2025, Queens Quay House must make sure staff whose job role consists of providing care and support have access to relevant information to guide them on the individual needs of each service user.
It must also "ensure those whose job role consists of providing care and support have access to relevant information to guide them on the individual needs of each service user".
The staff received a positive rating, with wellbeing support also being scored as good.
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People living in the care home and their families were overall happy with the care and support.
One person told inspectors, "I'm well looked after here....staff are always popping in to check on me" whilst another said, "The staff are wonderful."
Some key messages in terms of wellbeing included people benefitting from regular healthcare assessments as well as access to a tasty, varied and well-balanced diet.
A section of the report also highlighted how "access to community healthcare and treatment from external healthcare professionals gave reassurance to families".
One family told inspectors, "I have peace of mind now that my relative is living here", whilst another said, "My relative is looked after well".
However, one relative explained that they felt the high use of agency staff could be a problem at times though and concerned them slightly.
A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Following the inspection we are pleased that two of the three areas were awarded ‘good’.
"The improvement requirement around workers not employed by the council accessing online records is currently being addressed to ensure we continue to provide safe care, where individual needs are met while ensuring clients’ details remain secure.
"We welcome this scrutiny which helps us strengthen the care we offer residents within our care homes.”
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