Inspectors raise 'serious and significant' concerns at 'prestigious' Borders care home

Inspectors have found “serious and significant” concerns at a “prestigious” care home in the Scottish Borders.

The Care Inspectorate said on Thursday that St Andrew’s Care Home in Hawick is at risk of losing its care registration “unless there is a significant improvement.”

The 36-bed facility is owned and managed by Park Homes (UK) Limited, which describes St Andrew’s as a “prestigious care home standing on an impressive elevated site overlooking the picturesque town of Hawick”.

It provides care for residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s, old age, physical disabilities, and mental health conditions alongside respite and palliative care.

“An inspection has identified serious and significant concerns about the quality of care experienced by residents at St Andrew’s Care Home in Hawick,” the Care Inspectorate said.

“We understand this is a difficult and distressing time for residents, their families and staff at the service. However, our first priority is always the health and well-being of residents.”

Inspectors have issued St Andrew’s with an improvement notice, which sets out the “significant improvements” that must be made.

The notice ordered Park Homes to deep clean the care home by September 22 as part of multiple infection prevention and control improvement measures.

Park Homes was also told it must ensure the care home environment is “safe, secure, and well-maintained to promote dignity and respect” by October 27.

To achieve this, inspectors said Park Homes “must implement a comprehensive programme of works aimed at improving the fabric of the building, addressing both internal and external elements”.

Park Homes must also make management and leadership improvements by the end of October.

Inspectors said the home must ensure effective leadership to “monitor and manage the quality of care, to ensure the well-being and safety of all those living and working in the service”.

“We are in contact with and monitoring the service to follow up on the required improvements,” the Care Inspectorate said.

A report of the most recent inspection will be published in due course.

Park Homes Ltd has been asked for comment.