Published: Thursday, 12th June, 2008 08:10
Nursing home ban
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UNDER-fire Tranent Nursing Home is facing its second ban on admissions in less than a year, as staffing problems continue to plague the care facility.
Healthcare services regulator, the Care Commission, formally warned home owners Southern Cross Healthcare Ltd on Monday that it faced being unable to accept new residents.
In response, East Lothian Council – which is responsible for 49 of the 56 residents currently housed at the home – has arranged a private meeting of relatives amd carers with representatives of Southern Cross and the Commission this week.
East Lothian Council’s cabinet member for adult social care services, Fa’side councillor Ruth Currie, said: “We are very concerned that the Care Commission have sufficient concerns that they have notified Southern Cross Healthcare about this proposed condition notice.
“We take our residents’ care extremely seriously and council officials are already working with the Care Commission and Southern Cross to ensure that any shortfall in the standards of care provided to people in Tranent Nursing Home are resolved without delay.”
This latest development follows an improvement notice placed on the Coal Neuk Court home last October, which demanded that Southern Cross address staffing problems relating to inadequate training and an insufficient number of staff to care for the residents housed at the facility.
It is understood that the proposed ban on admissions follows Southern Cross’ failure to implement the improvements required by the Commission.
Ten complaints – the most recent made in April this year – have been received by the Commission relating to the home since May 2005. Last September, the death of an 86-year-old woman sparked a police inquiry – no charges were brought – and the Care Commission issued a temporary ban on admissions.
The Care Commission also upheld complaints following the death of a 74-year-old male resident last January, noting that there were “serious questions over his care” at the Tranent care home.
Following an investigation, Commission officers found that staff has failed to ensure he was given sufficient food and fluids; failed to supply the necessary restraints after the man fell from his bed numerous times; on several occasions when he was ill staff failed to call a doctor.
“Officials will be seeking a long-term action plan that will provide the stability and care standards that our residents deserve, as well as monitoring progress throughout,” added Mrs Currie.
Southern Cross has 14 days to appeal against the proposals before the ban is put into effect. A home spokesman said: “We accept the conditions of the improvement notice and are working closely with the regulatory bodies to address any issues that are outstanding.
“Extra resources have already been provided to assist with the new residents placed in our care following the recent closure of nearby privately owned Cockenzie Care Home.
“We are looking forward to meeting residents’ families and carers to answer questions and discuss any issue that they wish to raise.”
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