Standards of care being investigated at Newtonmore home
NHS officials have launched a probe at a Newtonmore care home following concerns over the standard of the service being delivered.
The large scale investigation has just been launched at Mains House which was recently acquired by NHS Highlands after the previous private sector operator went into administration last year,
The concerns are in the following areas for the facility which currently has 24 residents:
• the low level of nursing staff and the general low staffing levels within the home;
• infection control and cleanliness;
• general tiredness of the building;
• communication and documentation; and
• leadership and management challenges.
The purpose of the investigation is to ensure that NHS Highland brings about improvements to provide high quality of care to the residents.
In the meantime additional staff have been brought in to help with the running of the care home.
NHS Highland has told patients and their families: “We are aware that staff in Mains House are under considerable pressure at the moment and in recognition of this it has been agreed that an additional NHS team of carers will be supporting staff in the home and there will be regular support from other NHS professionals in areas such as infection control.”
Patients and their families are being asked for their views as part of the investigation.
Local Highland councillor Muriel Cockburn, the authority's representative on the NHS Highland board, said: "The staffing challenges are concerning. Numerous posts have been advertised however we are not receiving applicants.
"We continue to look at ways to attract people to apply for these posts."
A health authority spokesman told the Strathy yesterday: “NHS Highland has commenced a large scale investigation (LSI) at Main’s House Care Home in Newtonmore.
“This LSI also includes the Wade Centre in Kingussie due to the Care Inspectorate Registration for Main’s House being held by the Wade Centre.
“The LSI is being conducted under Adult Support and Protection legislation.
“An action plan has been developed and we are working our way through this to address immediate issues.
“We have contacted the residents and relatives to inform them that the LSI has commenced.
The Strathy understands that most of families of the residents live outwith the strath. NHS Highland and Highland Council reached an agreement in February with joint administrator Grant Thornton UK LLP operating Mains House to enable the service to continue.
Mains House Ltd – owned by the Eavis family – went into administration in March, last year.
There had been uncertainty over the future of the Badenoch facility with the firm’s other care home – Grandview House in Grantown – closing down a short time after they went to the wall.
