Strathburn House in Gairloch gets verdict from Care Inspectorate
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A WESTER Ross care service run by NHS Highland has been given the Care Inspectorate’s verdict.
Strathburn House in Gairloch is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of 14 older people. This includes one bed for respite.
Strathburn House is a purpose-built care home that also provides a day care service to the local community.
The accommodation comprises of 14-single bedrooms with full en-suite facilities.
Inspectors spoke with two people living in the care home and two relatives during the inspection.
A report filed afterwards said feedback received was very positive. Comments included: “It is very good here. You have nothing worry about, I would say if there was something not right. I’m well looked after, I feel spoilt by all the staff.”
Another stated: “They do their very best, my relative is very well cared for. I am always kept up to date with a call or when I come in to visit.”
And another said: “It is excellent here, al the staff make you feel very welcome.”
Inspectors, using a scale of one to six – where one is unsatisfactory and six excellent – rated the home’s support of people’s wellbeing, its leadership and its care during the pandemic at four, which is “good”.
The report says: “Staff supported people with compassion, dignity and respect and we saw positive relationships between staff and the people living in Strathburn. People were being cared for by staff who knew them well and were knowledgeable about their needs and preferences. Relatives were highly satisfied with the care their loved ones received.”
It said personal plans were concise, and of a high standard. They included relevant information on people’s care and support needs, and how staff should monitor and manage these needs. People’s plans contained a good personal history and were written in a person-centred way.
Staff told inspectors that they felt well supported and enjoyed their jobs. They said that there was a good team spirit and everyone worked really well together.
Regular team meetings were taking place and a staff survey was issued in the summer.
Areas for improvement were identified. Where medication is prescribed ‘as required’ staff should be aware of and document the signs or symptoms that the person may display. An example of this would be a pain assessment tool for pain relief. Once the medicine is administered, the effectiveness of the medicine should be documented.
The area for improvement will be continued.
