A scandal-hit care home that has been repeatedly told to clean up its act has been criticised by care bosses again – after inspectors found bottles of alcohol lying near residents.
Mowat Court Care Home in Stonehaven came under fire from the Care Inspectorate following the death of Gladys Burr, who was left in a daze by an unnecessary cocktail of pills.
In the latest damning report – following an unannounced inspection earlier this year – care chiefs have dropped the home’s grades after discovering another catalogue of failings.
Last night, MSP Lewis MacDonald – who has supported families of residents – demanded to know why the home was facing the wrath of the Care Inspectorate yet again, while the family of a former resident said they were furious that standards were not getting any better.
“I am very disappointed to hear this because I know that the Care Inspectorate were taking a close interest in the home,” Mr MacDonald said.
“In the circumstances I would expect that people there were doing everything possible to get grades up, not down.”
Problems at the home were revealed in 2012 by the Press and Journal when staff there were accused of needlessly drugging Mrs Burr.
Eleven complaints made by the family of were upheld, including one that she was left in a daze by an unnecessary cocktail of pills.
Despite numerous pledges from management that the 89-year-old’s care would improve, she died just four months after moving in.
Since then, two former bosses have been sacked and the home has come under fire for not keeping track of its drug regime.
But, despite warnings, the Care Inspectorate uncovered continued failings at the home on January 9.
Although they noted that slight improvements had been made, they said it was not enough and dropped the home’s quality grades to 2 (“weak”) from “adequate” last year. Chemical stores and electric cupboards were found unlocked, keys for the drug cupboard were left unattended and in the dining room the inspectors found bottles of alcohol belonging to members of staff lying out within easy reach of the residents.
An allegation had also been made that a staff member was “rough” towards a resident – but the inspectors did not know if the incident had been flagged up.
“There was no evidence that these concerns were investigated, social work informed or consideration to whether referral was appropriate,” the report stated. Two complaints about the home were also upheld by the Inspectorate since the last inspection.
The management has been ordered to submit an action plan, the results of which will be made public following the next visit.
Last night, Mrs Burr’s son, Sandy, asked why – two years on – the home was still failing to reach the minimum standard.
“I am shocked to hear of yet another poor inspection,” he said. “Despite all out protests, the investigations and two managers being suspended, things still are not right. This is clear evidence that Care UK is still not providing an adequate service.”