Moyness Care Home given poorest mark

A Broughty Ferry nursing home has been given the lowest mark possible in an official inspection report by Scotland’s care watchdog.

The Care Commission report published on Monday found Moyness Care Home gave residents an “unsatisfactory” level of care after an announced inspection earlier this year.

The revelation follows last month’s news that the home in Grove Road, owned by the Balhousie Group, was blacklisted by Dundee City Council’s social work department because of fears over the treatment of residents, and follows hard on the heels of staff there being rapped for leaving an elderly man in a “dishevelled” state.

On a six-point grading scale the home scored the lowest possible rating for the quality of care and support on offer and the second lowest for environment, staffing and management during the July inspection.

Those rankings have slipped from an across-the-board “adequate” at the previous, unannounced, inspection in March this year.

Amongst the substandard practices unearthed, the inspection team found care workers had arranged for the use of the restraining chair lap belt without the measure being officially signed off by the resident, their family or GP, while staff were also seen to have prepared residents for bed as early as 6.45 to “help the night staff.”

One resident with complex communication needs was left upstairs at all times as his or her chair did not fit in the lift.

Others were observed to be left sitting in a hoist swing and at risk of pressure sores throughout the day.

‘Not acceptable’

Inspectors also found one female resident had not had her weight recorded for six months despite significant weight loss — a situation they described as “not acceptable.”

Residents’ families also complained of inconsistent standards of cleanliness, few activities and a shortage of staff, though others were happy with the care their relatives received.

The report also shows that, of the seven recommendations made following the home’s last inspection, only two have been met.

Outstanding requirements include measures related to recording medication, providing stimulating recreation activities, allocation of staff time and assessment of residents’ needs.

The report concludes that the home must make “major” improvements to “bring all the aspects of the service they provide to a satisfactory level.”

As The Courier reported last week, the home has already been reprimanded for the “unacceptable” treatment of the late John Ferguson, who died at the home in June, aged 86.

‘Inadequate’ care

A separate Care Commission probe into subsequent complaints made by Mr Ferguson’s family found he had received “inadequate” personal care, meaning he was left “dishevelled, his clothing stained, his hair unkempt and (with) food on his face” despite paying a £730 per week fee.

Forfar-based Balhousie, who own a further 19 care homes in the area, last night insisted they were surprised by the “level of criticism” in the Care Commission’s report and insist they have already taken steps to improve conditions for residents.

A spokesman said, “Following the original inspection at the end of July, and even prior to the draft publication of this report, we took a wide variety of steps to address the issues raised by the Care Commission. These included significantly strengthened management and clinical support to the home.

“We were both disappointed and surprised at the level of criticism contained within the report and are looking forward to our next inspection, when we fully expect the improvements at Moyness — carried out with the agreement of and in partnership with the Care Commission — to be reflected in a far more positive report.”

Company chairman and founder Tony Banks, a Falklands War veteran, is thought to be worth around £50m.