A Kirkcaldy care home has been told to make urgent improvements or face being shut down.
The Care Inspectorate says it has identified “serious and significant concerns” about the care received by residents at Bennochy Lodge Care Home following an inspection.
This includes concerns about the spread of infection and cleanliness.
The home, run by Rossa Home Care Ltd, has been told it needs to make six improvements over the next two months.
If those requirements are not met, the home’s registration could be cancelled.
Care Inspectorate highlights ‘difficult and distressing’ time for Kirkcaldy care home residents
A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said: “An inspection has identified serious and significant concerns about the quality of care experienced by residents at Bennochy Lodge Care Home in Kirkcaldy.
“We understand this is a difficult and distressing time for residents, their families and staff at the service.
“However, our first priority is always the health and wellbeing of residents.
“Because of our concerns, we have issued an Improvement Notice to the service.
“This sets out the significant improvements that must be made within a specified timeframe.
“We are in contact with the service and with Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, and are monitoring the service to follow up on the required improvements.”
Bennochy Lodge must improve laundry systems to minimise risk of infections
Exact details of what was found during the inspection are still to be revealed.
However, one of the required improvements is for the home to “ensure there are effective laundry systems in place to minimise the risk of the spread of infection and preserve service users’ dignity”.
The home must also ensure “all areas used in the provision of care are thoroughly cleaned” and develop a “comprehensive cleaning schedule”.
The watchdog has further called for an action plan on refurbishments.
Bennochy Lodge has been told it needs to ensure staff receive appropriate training in areas including infection prevention and control, the control of hazardous substances, skin integrity, and stress and distress management.
Other improvements include protocols for the safe administration of ‘as required’ medication.
Kirkcaldy home warned registration could be cancelled
Concerns have further been raised in areas including care planning and risk assessments.
The Care Inspectorate improvement notice says: “The Care Inspectorate hereby gives you notice that unless there is a significant improvement in the provision of the service, it intends to make a proposal to cancel your registration.”
A spokesperson on behalf of Bennochy Lodge confirmed: “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.
“As well as working closely with the Care Inspectorate, we have employed an independent consultancy to help us.
“We are also in regular contact with Scottish Care and the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership as we work towards the improvements required.”
Earlier this month, the watchdog issued an improvement notice to Cardenden Primary School Nursery over concerns including the use of “inappropriate” restrictive practices on kids.
We have also taken a look at the latest care reports involving workers and services in the sector.
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