A midwife has been suspended after inhaling gas and air at work, and two Fife services have been threatened with closure, in this week’s care round-up.
The Courier has taken a closer look at the most recent reports from the Care Inspectorate, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
The Care Inspectorate is the watchdog for care providers such as homes, nurseries and after-school clubs, and grades services on key areas using a six-point scale, where 1 is unsatisfactory and 6 is excellent.
The SSSC is the watchdog for workers in the care sector, while the NMC is the organisation that monitors the registration of nurses and midwives, some of whom work in care settings.
Some reports were only published weeks after inspections or hearings took place.
Mariedh King, Fife
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has suspended a Fife midwife’s registration after she was caught inhaling gas and air meant for patients on a labour ward.
Mariedh King was caught using nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, in an empty labour room at an unnamed location in 2021.
The NMC’s report said: “This will have caused temporary intoxication which could have impaired her ability to provide safe and effective care for vulnerable patients and their babies.”
During the investigation, King admitted that she had used it more than once.
Despite branding her behaviour as “undoubtedly serious”, the NMC decided against striking her off the register.
They said: “(Her conduct) is potentially remediable and at this stage, not fundamentally incompatible with remaining on the register.”
King, who no longer works for NHS Fife, was suspended from the register for nine months.
Touch Trust, Dunfermline
Touch Trust, a day care service for children in Dunfermline, has been warned it could be shut down if it does not make urgent improvements.
The Care Inspectorate says it has “serious and significant” concerns about the service, operating from St Margaret’s Parish Church in Abel Place.
It has been told to make improvements in areas including children’s supervision, staff skills and knowledge, medication and the use of transport.
If improvements are not made, the service could have its registration cancelled.
The charity says there have been some “early teething problems” after it stepped in to provide childcare following the closure of Garvock Out of School Club.
A spokesperson added: “We have already taken significant steps to address the issues raised by the Care Inspectorate and we are working closely with local partners and relevant authorities to ensure that we are taking appropriate and effective actions to remedy the shortcomings identified.”
Bennochy Lodge Care Home, Kirkcaldy
The Care Inspectorate has also issued an improvement notice to Bennochy Lodge Care Home in Kirkcaldy – warning it could also have its registration cancelled if changes are not made.
Among the “serious” issues raised following an inspection were concerns about the spread of infection and cleanliness.
Improvements are required in other areas, including a refurbishment of areas of the home, staff training on infection prevention and protocols for the safe administration of ‘as required’ medication.
A spokesperson for Bennochy Lodge said: “We have received the improvement notice from the Care Inspectorate and have already begun to work on a detailed action plan to comply fully with their requirements.
“We are committed to being open and transparent with our staff and service users as we make the improvements required to achieve full compliance.”
Wardside House, Muthill, Perthshire
Previous ratings
- Wellbeing – 6
- Leadership – 6
- Staff – 6
- Setting – 5
- Planning – 6
New ratings
- Wellbeing – 6
- Leadership – 6
- Staff – 6
- Setting – 5
- Planning – 6
Inspection date
- March 28
Wardside House care home, just south of Crieff, has maintained rare top marks from inspectors in four out of five areas.
Residents told the Care Inspectorate that staff were “great” and “so kind and patient”.
They also described the house as having a “calm, homely and friendly atmosphere”.
Inspectors were impressed with the quality of management and the commitment to ensuring residents achieved the best possible outcomes.
There was a strong focus on continuous improvement, and the watchdog said this was visible at all levels and inspired staff to provide a quality service.
- All Care Inspectorate, SSSC and NMC reports are available online
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