A care home rated as weak by inspectors injured an elderly man when it used a wheelchair to restrain him.
The resident of Abbotsford Care’s Cowdenbeath home was strapped into the chair using a lap belt.
It is unclear what his injuries were but a member of his family complained about his treatment to the Care Inspectorate, which launched an investigation.
It found that the service had inappropriately used a wheelchair as a method of control and restraint.
Inspectors also concluded that staff lacked the necessary skills and experience to care for people with dementia and had failed to monitor and assist the resident with his nutritional and hydration needs.
The Chambers Court home also failed to respond appropriately to the relative’s concerns and failed to appropriately risk assess and identify pressure area care needs which resulted in pressure ulcers developing.
Details of the complaint were revealed in response to a request made by The Courier under the Freedom of Information Act as it revealed details of the home’s scathing report around three weeks ago.
The inspectorate described the home’s quality of care and support as weak and said requirements made when the complaint was investigated were still to be met 10 months later.
Inspectors investigated the complaint in January last year.
A copy of the report sent to the resident’s relative said: “The inspectors assess that in this instance the continued use of the wheelchair and the lap belt constituted unauthorised restraint, which resulted in unnecessary injury to your father as a result.”
It also stated that there were “gaps in the staff’s knowledge of supporting people with dementia and challenging behaviour”.
As a result of the investigation, the inspectorate ordered the home to ensure that no service user was subject to restraint unless it was the “only practicable means of securing the welfare and safety or that or any other service user and there are exceptional circumstances”.
Several other requirements were added, including that the home ensures staff are suitably trained for the work they do and it responds timeously and appropriately when concerns are raised.
Abbotsford Care director Karen McKechnie said a lot of work had taken place since the requirements were made, including significant staff training.
Inspectors visited again earlier this month and are expected to upgrade their assessment of the service which also accommodates people with learning disabilities when they publish their findings.
Mrs McKechnie said: “We know from the feedback that they recognise a lot of work has taken place.
“They advised us we have met the requirements made as a result of the complaints and we are heading in the right direction.”