An improvement action plan is being implemented at Saltgreens residential care home in Eyemouth following the outcome of a recent Care Inspectorate report.
A full unannounced inspection was held at Saltgreens between 23-24 August 2022. The inspection was carried out by three inspectors from the Care Inspectorate and while there are areas of good practice highlighted throughout their report, a number of areas of poor performance were found which have been reflected in the overall assessed grades.
Inspectors found that residents experienced warmth and kindness from staff and that care was given in a supportive and friendly manner. They also found evidence that staff were caring and kind despite reporting that they felt under pressure at times. Relatives were also complimentary about staff.
However, the report acknowledged that a number of challenges within the home had been impacting on some aspects of service delivery and that improvements were required. As a result, a robust action plan has been developed and is being implemented as a matter of urgency.
The Adult Social Care senior management team is working closely with the Saltgreens staff team on the plan as well as undertaking regular, ongoing monitoring to ensure that the requirements and areas for improvement identified in the report are met within agreed timeframes.
Councillor David Parker, Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing
“There is no doubt that the past few years have been extremely challenging right across our health and social care services and this continues to be the case, a picture that is reflected nationally with other local authorities facing similar pressures.
“However, we would like to assure anyone in receipt of a social care service, and their family carers, that we do not find the outcome of the Saltgreens’ report acceptable and are fully committed to doing all we can to improve the service being provided for residents at the home.
“Implementation of the action plan is being carried out as a high priority. This includes a clear commitment to ensuring residents and family carers are kept up to date with progress. We are also making sure that staff are both involved with the plan and supported to deliver the required improvements.
“Should residents, family carers or staff have any concerns in the meantime, we would ask that they speak with the care home manager or a member of the senior management team who will be pleased to answer their queries.”
More information
The report dated 1 September 2022 can be downloaded from the Care Inspectorate website.
A summary of some of the key actions from the plan are set out below:
- A voluntary moratorium on any new admissions to the home is in place.
- All service users have had both their baseline health needs and existing care packages reassessed to ensure they are receiving the most appropriate care.
- A Rapid Response Team comprising GP’s/ District Nurses/ Community Care Reviewing Team and the Care Home Reviewing Team has been deployed to the home.
- Support has been made available from the Operations Director for Adult Social Care and recently appointed Consultant for Care Home Quality. The Peripatetic Senior Care Worker has also been working closely with frontline support staff and senior staff.
- Regular liaison with the Care Inspectorate is ongoing to ensure that the requirements and areas for improvement identified in the report are met within agreed timeframes, as agreed by the Inspectors.