A care home at the centre of a series of complaints was investigated and placed under sanction by Fife Council, it has emerged.
Methven House Care Home, in Kirkcaldy, was found to have weak management and staffing by the Care Inspectorate.
Inspectors said some elderly residents looked dishevelled and were wearing stained clothes.
Inspectors also found several areas in need of repair or redecoration and staffing levels not as expected, with care staff doing domestic chores instead of caring for staff when they arrived.
Issues were raised about medication administration and on one occasion a patient in end-of-life care complaining of pain was not offered or given prescribed pain relief, which the inspectorate said was not acceptable practice.
Five complaints against the Bennochy Road facility have been upheld and another partially upheld by the care watchdog in the last four years.
Fife Council said a number of concerns had been raised with its social work service and placed a suspension on new placements at the home for six months.
Councillors on the Kirkcaldy area committee were told that the suspension was lifted in August, and that the home had devised an action plan to improve its performance.
Chair Councillor Neil Crooks said: “I was made aware of concerns about the standards of care at Methven House care home several weeks ago and that the Care Commission and our social work service were involved.
“The concerns were serious enough that no new clients would be allowed to be taken on until identified actions were taken and had a satisfactory outcome.
“I was assured that all agencies were taking appropriate steps to ensure the care standards we expect for our older people were being pursued.”
Council service manager Louise Bell said: “The care and welfare of service users is always our first priority.
“Due to the care inspectorate grades and care concerns raised in Methven House, a temporary suspension on placements was agreed with the care home in February this year.
“Since then we have worked closely with the care home provider to ensure that the necessary improvements were made to address the identified issues.
“The care home have been fully cooperative and the home continues to make progress .
“On this basis placements have been re-instated.”
Owner of the home, Kingdom Homes, said it had nothing to add to the statement issued by the council.
