A whistle-blower claims conditions at a Paisley care home became so poor that almost all permanent staff left their jobs in the space of a month – prompting a damning report from inspectors.
The former staff member at Nightingale House claims ten staff members moved on, resulting in a worrying decline in cleanliness at the facility and the care provided to its 43 residents.
The insider claims the rapid decline in the quality of care provided has caused concerned family members to consider removing their loved ones from the Mansionhouse Road home.
It is also claimed that industrial cleaners had to be brought in to address growing issues with cleanliness.
The claims come as Nightingale House, which is owned by Sterling Care Homes, was slammed by inspectors in a report submitted to the Scottish Government.
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The facility was ranked ‘weak’ in all categories following the unannounced visit, which was carried out by the Care Inspectorate after a complaint was made regarding “responsive care and support, staffing and the environment”.
The damning report comes less than two months after an initial review following an inspection on April 28 and 29, which praised the care provided as “warm and compassionate”.
It flags up:
Medication management being “compromised”,
A decline in care due to management oversights and,
Concerns over infection prevention and control.
The home was previously ranked as ‘good’ and ‘adequate’ in all categories.
The source told the Express that issues started to arise in the home following a change in management.
They said: “The former care manager left and things began to go downhill really quickly.
“Ten staff members have left and they are relying on temporary staff and things are not being done properly.
“It had been given a good report a few months ago but the inspectors came out again and this time things were not good.
“The place is no longer clean and the new management has had to get industrial cleaners in to deal with these issues.
“There are families threatening to remove their relatives as it has got so bad and they feel they aren’t being looked after
properly.”
The latest report was carried out on June 16, with inspectors stating that while staffing had remained at a “satisfactory level”, there had been a “decline in the overall cleanliness of the environment and a reduction in core staffing.”
The report reads: “The loss of core staff meant there was an increased reliance on agency
staff.
“The increased use of temporary staff and the reduction in core staff meant the assessed and changing needs of some people in relation to medication management, skin care and nutrition was
compromised.”
The report highlights concerns regarding staff training and management oversights, which had resulted in the decline in care being provided.
Inspectors did note that staff did have adequate supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and were using it appropriately, however, there were concerns over a lack of training.
The report adds: “The reduction in core and senior trained staff meant we were less confident about staff knowledge and the application of safe practice, including infection prevention and control.
“Quality assurance processes to ensure staff practice remained embedded and in line with guidance had been paused due to staffing challenges.
“The assessment of staffing must ensure there are sufficient staff with the appropriate skills and knowledge to ensure safe health and care outcomes for people.”
Inspectors ranked Nightingale House as ‘weak’ in all categories, including infection prevention and control practices, staffing arrangements, care and support provided to residents during Covid-19, as well as staff supporting well-being and residents experiencing compassion, dignity, and
respect.
However, the report noted that work was currently being undertaken to engage with external healthcare professionals with the aim of supporting the health of residents.
New management had also been appointed to make further improvements highlighted during the inspection.
Sterling Care Homes declined to comment on the claims, but said it was working with Renfrewshire HSCP and the Care Inspectorate to address the issues highlighted in the report.
A spokesman added: “We acknowledge the care inspectorate report and can advise that Nightingale are presently working alongside the Renfrewshire HSCP and the Care Inspectorate in order to make the necessary improvements.
“We have had a voluntary moratorium in place since June 1, 2021 to allow us to focus on making these improvements for our current
residents.”
