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Care Inspectorate asks for changes at Ross-shire care home as concerns raised over infection control measures


By Philip Murray

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The Care Inspectorate made a number of recommendations after its unannounced visit.
The Care Inspectorate made a number of recommendations after its unannounced visit.

A SNAP inspection has found “weak” Covid infection controls in place at a Ross care home which looks after dozens of residents.

Infection control practices at Wyvis House Care Home in Dingwall, which has 46 residents, were criticised by inspectors after they found that “not all areas of the home were clean and clutter free”, with a dirty hand washing sink, unclean food servery shelving and food-stained items among areas highlighted as putting people at risk.

“Haphazard approaches” to the access and disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE) were also flagged up by the Care Inspectorate, with a lack of clinical waste bins and the use of hand-operated bin lids also highlighted as a cross-contamination risk.

There was also no system in place to show that baths and showers were being cleaned between uses, and warned this increased infection risk.

Using a six-point scale, inspectors ruled that the “care and support during the Covid-19 pandemic” and “infection control practices” were both at level two, or “weak”.

And, although the laundry was praised as being “well-maintained” and “clean”, the presence of used mop heads and cleaning cloths on its floor posed a “cross-contamination risk” and put people at risk of infection.

However, wider efforts by the home to “support and safeguard” residents’ health during the pandemic were rated at level three, or “adequate”. As too were the ways the home’s staffing arrangements responded to “the changing needs of people experiencing care”.

They added that: “There were good staff numbers to meet people's health and care needs.

“We saw and heard positive conversations and interactions between people and staff, this promotes people's sense of wellbeing.

“Staff said they felt supported. There had been some staff meetings and one-to-one meetings with staff but the manager was advised that potential opportunities for reflection, learning and checking on staff understanding should be extended.”

They added that there were “adequate supplies” of cleaning products and equipment, and cleaning schedules had been updated “to include regular deep cleaning”, which was “being completed”.

And the report also highlighted that residents “benefited from compassionate care that upheld their dignity” and that they “looked happy and relaxed”. Relatives also said that visiting was being managed safely.

But, elsewhere in the report, the Care Inspectorate said that given the issues that had been identified over infection control, the inspectors were “concerned that staff training had not been fully effective”.

They continued: “We could not be sure it would protect people from the risk of infection.”

Following the inspection, which took place on December 11, the home was given until January 6 to make a number of changes.

These include the need to ensure that physical distancing, hand hygiene by residents, and the “use and disposal of PPE” aligns with the requirements set down by Health Protection Scotland.

They also called for the “regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces”, and said that the home also needed to develop a plan to address how and when old and worn fittings or furniture will be tackled.

A system also needs to be put in place to show that baths, showers and reusable equipment are cleaned between use.

The home was also given until mid March to carry out several other recommendations.


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