NHS Highland to take over Skye care home where ten died

A care home on Skye where ten residents died from coronavirus will be taken into public ownership, the health secretary has announced.

Jeane Freeman confirmed NHS Highland will purchase Home Farm Care Home in Portree from the current provider HC One.

A complaint made to the Care Inspectorate led to a petition being lodged with the courts for emergency cancellation of the home’s registration, as patients and staff tested positive for the virus.

The health board stepped in to care for patients after the petition was made.

The health secretary said care standards in the home improved after NHS Highland became involved, with the Care Inspectorate deciding that the terms of the cancellation order no longer applied.

Freeman said at the Scottish Government briefing: “I’m pleased to announce that the wellbeing of the current residents at Home Farm, which has been a priority for the Scottish Government, has been secured by NHS Highland, who are to purchase this care home from the current provider HC One.”

The transfer of the care home to the health board will also see staff carry over and become NHS employees.

She continued: “We have worked closely with NHS Highland and the Care Inspectorate to secure this.

“Significant improvements have been made in the quality of care offered at Home Farm with support from the health board, the Care Inspectorate, the local council and, of course, the staff there.”