Care staff cleared of ‘toilet training’ regime but service must improve

A SUPPORTED housing complex has been cleared of allegations that disabled residents were told to train themselves to go to the toilet at fixed times to fit in with a new strict care rota.

But an investigation by Scotland’s care watchdog, Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS), has partly upheld two of the anonymous complaints made against the Eday Gardens complex in Aberdeen, run by the Margaret Blackwood Housing Association.

The association has now been ordered to carry out a range of changes to improve the care of disabled residents at the at the complex in the Mastrick area of the city.

A spokesman for the SCSWIS said: “We have now completed our investigation and have upheld two of the issues that were raised about care planning and medication at the service.

“As a result of this investigation, SCSWIS has made a number of requirements that we expect Eday Gardens to address within a short timescale.

“We have also requested that the service provider send us an action plan detailing how these requirements will be met.”

He added: “SCSWIS will continue to monitor the service to ensure that all of the issues are addressed and that the tenants of Eday Gardens receive high quality of care and support that respects and promotes their needs.”

The inspection report states: “The complainant alleged that service user’s medication was not being given to them in a proper or effective manner. An examination of the medication records of service users evidenced inaccurate entries and records which were not being completed correctly.

“Despite access to a very comprehensive medication policy and procedure staff interviewed failed to have a clear understanding of how medication prescribed for the use of service users should be effectively administered.”

In relation to an allegation that residents were being illegally or inappropriately restrained, the report states: “We acknowledge that there is no evidence that direct care staff in the service is restraining service users by physical ‘hands on’, environmental or chemical means.

“However, there is evidence that the service has failed to properly plan, implement and record actions, aimed at promoting the safety of service users, in line with regulatory expectation, best practice and the organisation’s own policy and procedures.”

But the complaint about a lack of 24-hour support – the complaint linked to the “toilet training” allegations – has not been upheld.

A spokeswoman for the housing association said: “The allegation relating to rotas and rules about visits to toilets was found to be unfounded following a detailed investigation by SCSWIS.”

She added: “MBHA continues to provide a 24-hour response service that allows those tenants who receive care at home services to call for assistance when they need personal care, including the use of the lavatory.

“MBHA is currently working in partnership with SCSWIS to develop an action plan.

“The quality of care at Eday Gardens has consistently been assessed at the highest levels (grades 5 and 6) and this remains the case.”