CONCERNS for cleanliness, temperature and treatment towards service users were among "significant weaknesses" identified at a Clacks Council-operated support service for people with learning disabilities.
The Whins Resource Centre received a scathing report from the Care Inspectorate, which marked it down considerably across five key areas.
Three inspectors visited the Alloa service, which provides support for people with learning disabilities, physical and/or sensory impairments.
The inspection looked to assess the Whins Centre on five categories – wellbeing, leadership, staff team, setting and care and support planning.
Using a six-point scale where 1 is unsatisfactory and 6 is excellent, the Whins was graded 2 – weak across the board.
Concerns for respect by staff towards those in the care of the service were raised and, despite some strengths, inspectors noted they felt service users were at risk of harm.
READ MORE: Council adoption service continues to improve after inspection
The report states: “Throughout the inspection, we observed some staff providing care with dignity and respect and saw a warm communication exchange between one person and a care worker who had a very good understanding of their communication preferences.
“Despite this, we were very concerned that people were at risk of harm because of poor practice by some staff.
“People’s emotional wellbeing and dignity was compromised because staff did not treat them with respect and staff frequently used infantilising language when supporting people.
“People were not treated like adults, and were not empowered to lead and direct their support.”
Health care towards service users was also compromised, with inspectors noting that “Staff did not always follow [health care professionals] advice and this had compromised people’s health care.
“People’s health was further affected because of the cold temperature of the building. The low temperature meant that people were cold when they were supported at Whins and we heard from staff and the leadership team that this was a long-standing issue.”
Service users reported that the management team were “approachable” and “helpful”, but staff claimed that the relationship between the management team was fractured.
Concerns were raised over the setting, with the three Care Inspectorate representatives noting that the building was cold.
READ MORE: Adult Placement Continuing Care team scores high on inspection
The report continued: “The temperature of the building was extremely cold, including shower and personal care rooms which were being used by people.
“Some rooms, the training kitchen and multisensory room, were not used because they were too cold.
“We heard from staff that this was a long-standing issue and there was no outcome to multiple reports of the building being cold over the last year.”
A deep clean of the premises had not been conducted in more than two years and no cleaning schedules or records could be found for the past six months.
The inspectors placed several requirements on the Whins Resource Centre, with some improvements being expected as early as next week.
By Friday, November 22, the Whins is urged to “ensure that people experience compassionate care and support.
“To do this, the provider must, at a minimum, ensure that staff fully demonstrate the principles of the Health and Social Care Standards, namely dignity, respect and compassion.
“The provider must ensure that people experience care in an environment that is safe, well-maintained and minimises the risk of infection.
READ MORE: Loving relationships key as fostering service performs well in report
“In order to achieve this, the provider must undertake a review of the environment to ensure all areas, furnishings and equipment are well-maintained, functional, accessible and provide a safe and comfortable place for people to use.
“Ensure that safe infection control and cleaning practices follow good practice guidance.”
By December, inspectors have urged the Whins to provide a range of activities for users to access and provide supervision for staff.
The Whins must also provide a service that is well led and managed, ensure staffing arrangements are right and ensure that people’s personal care plans are up to date, with a deadline for January 17.
Two areas for improvement were lodged against the Whins, calling on them to “improve outcomes for people and ensure people are supported to eat and drink well.
“Review the mealtime experience by involving people and their representatives and take appropriate action where improvements are identified.
“The provider should make arrangements to ensure the building is properly maintained and that any requests for work can be followed up.
“This should include (but not exclusive to) the heating system. The provider should make contingency arrangements for times when the building is temporarily not fit for purpose and may put people at risk of harm.”
A spokesperson for the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We acknowledge the Care Inspectorate’s report on the Whins Resource Centre is disappointing and falls far below the level of service we aim to provide.
“However, the HSCP is determined to use this report to bring about significant, positive change through our detailed improvement plan which is already being robustly implemented.
“This improvement plan will also focus on meeting the requirements of the Care Inspectorate and we are confident that, with continued hard work, these can be met as soon as possible.”
The full report can be found at careinspectorate.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here