Inspectors demand major improvement in Borders care service

A care service for vulnerable people in the Borders has been heavily criticised by the Care Inspectorate.

Inspectors said that failings at the Duns-based Community Integrated Care (CIC) could be “life threatening”.

The latest inspection found clients missed out on vital visits as a result of staffing problems and in some cases, carers were not aware of the needs of individual service users.

People who needed help with medication or preparing a meal were among those who missed visits, it found.

The report stated: “Due to lack of information for the support staff, we heard of many examples where staff arrive at a service user’s home to support them, not knowing what care and support that person required.”

“Missed and late visits, staff not being aware of individual’s care needs and inconsistency in care staff has the potential to result in service user’s health and wellbeing needs not being met.

“At worst this could be life threatening for vulnerable service users, at least it causes distress and anxiety.”

Inspectors initially demanded improvements last September and returned in January only to find the problems had escalated.

A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said: “We will be monitoring this service closely to ensure the improvements which we require are acted upon.

“We will be inspecting again soon and if we do not see evidence of significant improvement we will not hesitate to take action.”

The facility opened in 2007 and provides care services to Scottish Borders Council and NHS Borders.