Three homes run by care provider in Stirlingshire found to be ‘unacceptably cold’

Three care homes in Stirlingshire operated by the same care provider have been told to make urgent improvements by the Care Inspectorate.

The services, owned by Mauricare Ltd, are Ashford House in Bridge of Allan, Ashlea House (pictured) in Callander and Ashwood House also located in Callander.

Inspectors who visited Ashlea House and Ashwood House in the last week of February found heating systems had broken down and as a result living areas in both homes had become unacceptably cold. Inspectors have served formal improvement notices to ensure that all three care homes quickly improve their facilities.

The improvement notices require the care provider to demonstrate that appropriate plans are in place to make alternative heating arrangements should a similar break-down occur again. It must also ensure that there are appropriate service contracts in place to effectively maintain, service and repair all equipment and facilities in the care homes.

Ashlea House must also ensure that there is adequate heating in all areas of the care home and in particular must ensure that the living room areas are heated to the required temperature, with accurate temperature recording equipment in place in all areas of the home.

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said: “Most care homes perform well, but every person living in every care home is entitled to high-quality, compassionate care. Where heating systems break down, care homes must have alternative plans that are put in place quickly.

“We have served these formal improvement notices to ensure that the care improves quickly, and that residents experience a quality of care which they have the right to expect.

“We will continue to monitor all three care homes and will visit each one to check on progress. If we are not satisfied that the changes we require have been met we will not hesitate to take further action.

The Improvement Notices for each home are as follows:

• http://cinsp.in/AshfordImprovementNotice
• http://cinsp.in/AshleaImprovementNotice
• http://cinsp.in/AshwoodImprovementNotice

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