A KINCARDINE care home has received a good report from the Care Inspectorate.

Forth Bay, located on Walker Street, was visited by inspectors on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 13 and 14.

Inspectors assessed the care home, which caters for up to 58 adults and older people, on five key areas.

These were wellbeing, leadership, staff team, setting and care and support, with each category receiving a grade from the six-point scale.

In the six point scale, where 1 is unsatisfactory and 6 is excellent, Forth Bay received 4 (good) on every area aside from care and support, which was awarded 3 (adequate).

Key messages from the report states: “People experience warm and compassionate care.

“Feedback from people and their relatives was positive. Clinical oversight is well organised. A wide range of activities take place and the service is clean, tidy, and well maintained.

“The service would benefit from formal observations of practice and competency checks. Some stress and distress assessments require improvement.”

The report highlighted several strengths of Forth Bay, in particular the warmth, kindness and compassionate relationships between staff and residents.

Forth Bay was highly praised for the environment and surroundings, which were consistently to a high standard.

Staff were also highly trained on the medical needs of all residents, with appropriate documentation completed on this each day.

“There was good clinical oversight of people’s health needs,” the report stated. “Daily flash and handover meetings alerted staff to changing health needs.

“Care plans were kept up-to-date and the electronic care system also gave information on changing needs such as nutrition and falls.

“Prompt referrals were made to other health professionals meaning that people had the most appropriate health care at the correct time.”

Alongside the praise, several areas of improvement were earmarked for Forth Bay to work towards.

The Aria Group care home was requested to record competency checks on staff members, and complete observations of practice, which will bring them in line with the Health and Social Care Standards.

Forth Bay was also urged to ensure that activities were planned, reviewed and evaluated on a regular basis.

The inspection report has set a date of March 28 for Forth Bay to improve how they manage stress and distress.

Requirements include: “The provider must, at a minimum, ensure that people have a personal plan in place which provides specific guidance to staff on how to care and support them during episodes of stress and distress.

“Ensure the plan considers any possible contributing factors to stress and distress in order to prevent stress and distress from occurring if possible.

“Ensure the plan includes any known triggers, as well as established methods to alleviate stress and distress.”

The full report can be found at careinspectorate.com.