Inverness care home threatened with closure over 'serious and significant' concerns

A watchdog has raised “serious and significant” concerns over the standard of care being given to residents at a care home in Inverness.

The Care Inspectorate has raised concerns following an inspection of Castlehill Care Home.

The care home faces having its registration cancelled if significant improvements are not made.

It gave an outline of recommended improvements to be completed by a specific deadline.

Among the improvements is to ensure people’s health, safety, and wellbeing needs are accurately assessed, documented, and met.

The watchdog said the improvement must be met by May 28.

“This means putting the person at the centre, identifying what is important to them, and ensuring that everyone is working together to maximise their health, safety, and wellbeing,” the report read.

Another recommendation, to be completed by July 11, is for the care home to implement a robust process to listen to people’s concerns.

The report also highlighted the importance of effective governance within the home to monitor and manage the quality of care.

Castlehill Care Home has since submitted a formal complaint to the Care Inspectorate regarding the inspection.

“We have significant concerns regarding the lack of objectivity of the inspection team and breaches of protocol with regard to the inspection process and activity subsequent to the inspection,” a spokesperson for the care home said.

“We remain committed to the highest standards of care for our residents with a laser focus on wellbeing.”

A spokesperson for 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 wellbeing of those experiencing care.”

It added: “Because of our concerns, we have issued an Improvement Notice to the service. This sets out the significant improvements that must be made within a specified timeframe.

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