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Elderly care in Caithness: 11 positives and 14 areas for improvement found

Caithness General Hospital
Caithness General Hospital

An inspection of elderly care facilities at a north hospital has found 11 areas of good practice and 14 areas for improvement.

Officials from Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) visited Caithness General Hospital between August 25 and 27.

In a report published yesterday, the inspectors identified a number of areas where the hospital was doing well, but also found a number of areas, mostly relating to documentation, where it was falling short.

Jacqui Macrae, HIS head of quality of care, said: “We noted areas where NHS Highland was performing well in relation to the care provided to older people in acute hospitals.

“We noted that assessments to identify delirium were being consistently used, and protected mealtimes were seen to be in place and mealtimes were well managed with an appointed mealtime co-ordinator.”

She added: “We found that further improvement is required in the following areas: there is a need to ensure a consistent approach to documentation; care plans need to be completed for all identified care needs and need to provide sufficient detail to guide care.”

NHS Highland welcomed the report, but said they acknowledged the issues raised.

Pam Garbe, associate lead nurse for the hospital, said: “The recent inspection found there was clear leadership and team working within the wards, that staff had a positive attitude and demonstrated team working and I’m extremely pleased that the majority of patients felt that our staff treated them and their belongings with consideration and respect.”

Tracy Ligema, deputy director of operations for north and west, said: “There were a number of positives highlighted during the inspection but we do recognise that there are areas which we can improve on.

“An action plan has been developed and work has already started on the points raised.”