Care home staff criticised for not offering residents showers

Report criticism: Bucksburn Care Home inspection found no records of whether or not a patient was washed for a month.© HEMEDIA / SWNS Group

Staff at an Aberdeen care home have been criticised by inspectors for not encouraging residents to go to the toilet or offering them regular showers.

Following an unannounced inspection of Bucksburn Care Home in May, inspectors also found that there was no record of residents having showered or bathed for a month.

The report published by the Care Inspectorate also claimed that wounds were not being assessed or managed properly, and that there was "confusion" over medication.

The report stated: “The home only had three permanent Registered Nurses, and a significant amount of agency nurses were being used. Unfortunately this had had a significant impact on the quality of the detailed nursing care provided to the residents.

“This was due to the lack of induction, poor communication, and lack of knowledge of the organisation policies and processes.”

The report went on to say that the fluid and nutrition charts used for residents were "not being maintained accurately".

It said: “The fluid and nutrition charts showed there was a lack of recording if fluids had been offered overnight to residents.

“Concern was raised regarding maintaining the residents' privacy and dignity when applying topical medication during the day.”

Although the care home is in the process of being refurbished, the report indicated that carpets were "worn and stained".

It said: “Parts of the home remained tired and worn. Carpets were worn and stained, the wall were in need of being painted, doors were chipped, the locks on the bedroom doors could only be operated from the outside, and the sluice areas required to be upgraded.”

It is hoped that the newly-appointed manager at the care home will now ensure the service makes "significant improvements".

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