Report reveals ‘failings’ at home
Admissions halted after probe held into standards
Published:
RESIDENTS at an Aberdeen care home were left dehydrated, according to a report today.
Staff at Kingsmead Nursing Home in Kingswells also allegedly failed to maintain standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
The Aberdeen home for disabled and old people has been forced to stop accepting residents after an inspection uncovered “significant failings” in its provision of care.
Care Commission regional manager Chris Stadames confirmed they were first made aware of three “serious problems” with the quality of care provided almost two months ago.
Mr Stadames said: “In late March, we received three complaints about serious problems with the quality of care.
“We referred one of those complaints to Aberdeenshire Council under the protection of vulnerable adults procedures.
“We immediately arranged for a full inspection at which we insisted the service manager had to be present.
“During that inspection, We uncovered a series of significant problems, including failures in acceptable hydration, poor hygiene and infection control standards, and overall poor management.
“Due to the serious nature of the problems, we immediately issued an Improvement Notice and began proceedings to prevent further residents being admitted until improvements were made.”
The Care Commission has “maintained a regular presence in the home” to oversee improvements.
Mr Stadames said: “We are working closely with the management of the home to monitor whether the existing residents are being properly cared for.
“We have given the home clear timescales for it to deliver the necessary improvements.
“We have held a number of high-level meetings with senior management and they have indicated their willingness to work with us.
“We have also liaised with both Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils, who are responsible for arrangements to ensure the proper protection of vulnerable adults.”
The home on Kingswood Drive has about 65 residents.
The Kingswood Drive home is operated by Mead Medical Holdings, whose offices are based in Commercial House, Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen.
No one was available for comment from Kingsmead management.
