Greenock care home complaints upheld

COMPLAINTS against a troubled Greenock care home have been upheld by a standards watchdog.

Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland today confirmed it had partially upheld three separate complaints lodged against Balclutha Court in Greenock’s Forsyth Street.

The fresh matters cover a variety of issues, including staffing levels, the fitness of the premises and general health and welfare of residents.

Concerns were also raised about practices which saw older people with physical illnesses living alongside other residents with advanced dementia.

Staffing levels were also put under the microscope by the watchdogs.

And inspectors also say that staff must receive training appropriate to the work they perform, while locks which residents can use are to be installed on bedroom doors.

The home has been instructed to begin addressing all of the issues raised with immediate effect – and given 13 weeks to satisfy the watchdog that all measures have been met.

The care regulator upheld a previous complaint in February, relating to issues involving the handling and storage of medication at Balclutha.

A criminal court case surrounding allegations that a female member of staff assaulted two patients is also still ongoing.

A spokesperson for Barchester Healthcare, owners of Balclutha Court, said: “At Balclutha Court care home the well-being of our residents is of the utmost importance and we are working alongside the SCSWIS to address the points raised following a recent inspection.

“We would like to reassure everyone of our commitment to those residing at Balclutha Court and to emphasise that their health and wellbeing is at the forefront of everything we do and are doing.”