Councillors kept in dark about care centre complaint

SENIOR social work officials have come under fire once again for not communicating with local councillors.

East Sutherland and Edderton ward councillors are annoyed they were not informed of a complaint about Beachview Lodge in Brora until it had been investigated and upheld by the Care Commission.

The unit provides day care facilities for adults with learning disabilities. A neighbouring unit provides respite care facilities.

It is understood the complaint only came to councillors’ attention through a conversation with a member of public on the street.

Area social work officials, including community care manager Jonathan King and his assistant Donellen Mackenzie, were hauled over the coals last year for not informing service users and their families about controversial plans to convert the respite centre into a long-term residential care unit.

The latest issue was aired at a housing and social work committee meeting in Inverness on Wednesday last week when a report by social work director Harriet Dempster regarding the complaint was put before Highland councillors.

Councillor Deirdre Mackay of Brora sought reassurances from the director that she and her two ward colleagues would be better informed in future.

Councillor Mackay told the NT she was particularly concerned because a similar situation had arisen last year regarding Corbett House in Inverness and promises had then been made to put in place better lines of communication.

“We are quite disappointed that we were not informed that a complaint had been made or of the contents of the Care Commission report,” she said.

“None of us sit on the housing and social work committee, and although we are able to attend the meetings we don’t have the same level of involvement that members do. Therefore we’re not as aware of what’s taking place in the service as we would like to be.

“Officials implement policy, but we have a clear duty on behalf of our constituents to scrutinise service delivery and this is proving to be very difficult indeed.”

She added: “It is disappointing, also, that it took a Care Commission report to kick-start action and address staffing issues of some long standing.”

The family of a woman who regularly attends Beachview Lodge asked the Care Commission last year to find out whether a care plan had been prepared for her and, if so, why a copy had not been provided to them. They also queried staffing levels at the unit.

Commission investigation officer J Rushforth visited the unit on 11th November last year and met the manager and the woman’s key worker.

Mr Rushforth found there was a care plan in place for the woman concerned but that it lacked up-to-detail about how her needs could be met through the provision of activities.

There was no evidence that the family had access to the care plan or that they had been involved when it was drawn up.

Mr Rushforth could also find no evidence that there were sufficient staff members available to make sure the woman was given enough activities.

The Care Commission is now insisting that Beachview Lodge make sure personal care plans are in place and up to date, and that they are provided to service users or their families. They also want a review of current staffing levels at the centre.