Fife Council has confirmed an investigation has been launched at a Fife residential care home following what The Courier believes is a “grave medication error” involving one of the residents.
An anonymous source told us that Fife Council had suspended a member of the management team at Valley House in Cowdenbeath and other staff were being gagged to prevent the news leaking.
It was alleged there was a “grave error in medication” discovered that affected one of the residents in the Hill Street home one of 10 council-run care homes earmarked for closure.
The extent to which the elderly resident was affected is not known. However, the source added, “The error is so severe other staff in the home have been threatened with suspension and disciplinary action if they disclose the facts to anyone outside the home.”
Rona Laing, the head of older peoples’ services at Fife Council, confirmed there was an ongoing investigation into an incident at Valley House.
“The health and well-being of our residents is paramount,” she said. “Any shortfall in the high quality standards we expect is taken extremely seriously and immediate action to launch a full investigation has been taken.”No complacencyShe said the council had a proven history for good quality provision and there was no complacency.
“Care for our residents comes first, last and always, and we are in direct contact with families to reassure every step is being taken to meet improvement plans agreed with the Care Commission.
“This will ensure the standards we provide are of the highest quality for residents.
“Due to the ongoing investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage, but a full report will be produced by the Care Commission in due course.”
As to the threat to staff who discuss the matter, Fife Council has an employee code of conduct whereby staff are expected, while at work or speaking as an employee, to behave in a professional manner.
This applies to staff working in council residential care homes where they have an obligation to the privacy and welfare of those they care for and their families.