TRUST between staff and residents is the big talking point during recent inspection at a Tullibody care home.

Members of the Care Inspectorate visited Orchard Care Centre in the town on September 10, 11 and 12.

Forming part of the regular inspections carried out by the governing body, inspectors assessed the care home on people’s wellbeing and the staff team.

On a six-point scale where one is unsatisfactory and six is excellent, Orchard Care Centre was awarded four (good) under the two areas.

For wellbeing, the visitors highlighted the relationship between service users and staff, with trust a focal point in delivering care.

They spoke with relatives of people under care in Tullibody, with one commenting: “Carers are excellent and understand my mum’s needs.”

Another said: “My dad is well looked after. The staff are magnificent. They not only look after his well-being but mine too.”

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Inspectors noted an importance on helping residents get the most out of life, with a variety of in house and out of house activities taking place.

The report stated: “The home engaged with the local community through accessing local cafes, churches, community based services and links with the local schools and nurseries.

“There was dedicated activity staff who were very passionate about what activities were being offered to people.

“They arranged a weekly activity programme with a range of groups and a great selection of tailored one-to-one activities for people.

“This ensured people continued to feel enriched, simulated and gave a sense of purpose.”

The staff team was also praised, but criticism was directed towards recent changes in the units and layouts which often prevented the team from engaging with residents as often as needed.

The reported continued: “With the recent changes to units within the home, feedback from staff varied in relation to team working.”

One staff member commented: “Since the changes, we feel forgotten about and the focus is on the new unit.”

Staff were able to best help residents with specific needs through the use of a tool, which helped them identify dependencies within residents.

The report added: “The home was recruiting new care staff and had a reliance on agency staff, however staff had experience of working across the home and where possible consistency of agency staff were used.

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“This helped provide continuity for people using the service.”

The report finalised the staff team section by training was up to scratch, with staff receiving both online and face to face coaching in key areas.

Inspectors put three areas of improvement on their report, with the first being “ensuring that topical medication is stored appropriately and people received all of their medication as prescribed.”

The report went on: “To ensure that people who experience stress or distress are fully and appropriately supported, the service should ensure that people who may experience stress and/or distress have a clear and detailed plan which clearly identifies triggers and strategies to support people.

“Supporting documentation in recording of people’s care needs are completed accurately and should someone require additional monitoring of their food or fluid then intake should be recorded with appropriate set targets and reasons recorded, so the service can remain responsive to people’s changing care needs and escalate when needed.”

Susan Gibson, home manager of Orchard Care Centre, said: “Our ‘good’ overall rating from the Care Inspectorate is a testament to the sense of homeliness and belonging that the fantastic team at The Orchards have worked hard to achieve,

“Everybody across our home and throughout HC-One Scotland is committed to providing kind, person-centred care and we will continue to place a keen focus on our residents and their day-to-day living.

“I would like to dedicate this achievement to my entire team at the Orchards and we are delighted with the work that has been done for all of our residents.”

The full report can be found at careinspectorate.com.