Closure threat lifted as care home improves to ‘adequate’ standard

THE threat of closure has been lifted from a private Borders care home after a watchdog found that conditions had improved since a damning inspection report was published in November, writes Andrew Keddie.

But the Care Commission for Scotland says it will continue to monitor Whim Hall Care Home after deeming standards across a range of criteria at the Lamancha facility were “adequate”.

That grading, following an unannounced inspection in March, represents an improvement on last year’s findings.

After that visit, Whim Hall, owned by Guardian Care Homes UK Ltd, was given the lowest-possible grading of “unsatisfactory” on the quality of care and support for its 29 residents, its environment and staffing, and the second-lowest grading of “weak” on the quality of its management and leadership.

“Adequate” is the third-lowest grading category at the disposal of the watchdog, behind “good”, “very good” and “excellent”.

In November, the commission drew up proposals to withdraw the home’s registration, effectively removing Guardian’s licence to operate at the converted 18th-century manor house. It also began discussions with Scottish Borders Council and other local authorities to ensure suitable alternative accommodation was arranged for residents if Whim Hall closed.

The ascendancy to adequacy followed a “high-intensity” inspection on March 2 by a commission team which checked residents’ care plans, staff training records and general procedures.

Inspectors spoke to management, staff and to eight residents.

“All the residents made positive comments about the staff and the way they were looked after,” stated senior commission officer Jan McIntosh in her report, published this week. The residents also praised the cleanliness of their rooms and the quality of food.

The team also interviewed two family carers who both said they had seen improvements in care in the previous two months and believed staff were well supervised and working better together.

News that the proposal to cancel the registration of Whim Hall has been lifted was welcomed by Guardian’s managing director Gary Hartland.

“Residents and staff are looking forward to a brighter future after being given the all-clear to remain open,” said Mr Hartland. “The commission has told us we have met the requirements of autumn’s enforcement notice when inspectors highlighted concerns about lack of progress towards improvements needed at Whim Hall.

“We took on board the commission’s comments and set about turning round the home so it provides an acceptable standard of care, and we are continuing with improvements aimed at lifting standards even higher.”

Mr Hartland said Guardian is in the process of a £400,000 refurbishment and expansion programme at Whim Hall and he blamed a high turnover of managers over the last two years for the slip in standards which had so appalled the commission and prompted the closure threat.

“It has been a worrying time for residents and staff,” he admitted.

“But we are all delighted we can now move forward so Whim Hall becomes a home we can all be proud of.”

He said Liz Williamson, a qualified nurse with “a lot of experience” in home care management, has been appointed the new permanent manager at Lamancha.

“We own a total of 11 care homes in Scotland and all the others are rated as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ by the commission, demonstrating our company’s commitment to providing high-quality care for our residents,” said Mr Hartland.

“I can only apologise to residents and their families for the earlier failings at Whim Hall and reassure them we are doing everything possible to raise standards. We now look forward to improving Whim Hall so we can all put this unfortunate chapter well and truly behind us.”