A £1,100 a week care home in Fife was found to be in breach of national social care standards.
When the Care Inspectorate visited Pitlair House near Cupar in November, it was discovered that staff were not reviewing care plans regularly.
The home was given a grade of “adequate” for its planning of care and support and told to ensure that plans are updated at least once every six months, in line with Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland Regulations 2011.
“On examination of a sample of care plans it was clear that the home were not meeting their statutory requirement to review care at least every six months,” said the Care Inspectorate report.
“We would expect that care planning reflects people’s needs and wishes and that plans are reviewed and updated regularly.
“Staff should have clear and up-to-date guidance about the care which they are expected to provide in order that people receive appropriate care as their needs change.
“It is important that care plans are created promptly when people begin living at the home or when they arrive for a period of respite care.
“We were not confident that these were being completed in a timely manner in all cases. As a result staff could not be confident that they had all the information which they required to deliver care effectively.”
A grade of “good” was given for supporting wellbeing, with staff praised for the way they helped residents with self-care.
“We could see the self-confidence that this created and that the respectful interactions were appreciated by those involved,” said the report.
“People’s health clearly benefitted from their care and support with relatives commenting that they had seen an improvement in their loved one’s appetite and weight since arrival at the home.”
However, the personal hygiene of some residents was described as “being at a lower standard than we would expect” by the inspectorate.
The report said: “We were concerned that elements of personal care were being overlooked at times during the inspection.”
Pitlair House declined to comment.
The private care home service, located in the Bow of Fife, provides round the clock care for up to 40 people, with beds for 32 older people and a maximum of eight younger adults with physical health conditions.
Pitlair House is a B-listed country mansion, which dates back to 1679 but was altered and extended in 1907. Accommodation for residents is also provided in a modern extension.
It is understood staying at the home costs around £1,100 a week.
According to Care Information Scotland, the standard weekly cost of publicly funded residential care is £614.
