Fife care home facing closure amid 'serious and significant' concerns

A care home in Fife is facing closure after an industry watchdog raised “serious and significant” concerns.

Bennochy Lodge Care Home in Kirkcaldy has been ordered to make six changes by August 13.

The Care Inspectorate issued the warning after identifying issues about the spread of infection and the cleanliness of the care home.

The watchdog also raised “serious and significant” concerns regarding the quality of care given to residents.

An improvement notice has said the care home must ensure it has effective laundry systems to minimise the risk of infection spreading.

It has also been told to develop cleaning schedules and an action plan for refurbishment.

Staff training must also be delivered, and a quality assurance system introduced to monitor the service provided.

By the end of July, the care home must “accurately reflect the assessed current health and care needs of the service user, with particular attention being given to stress and distress, end-of-life care, medication management, pain management, bowel management and nutrition”.

Should the improvements not be implemented within the allowed timeline, the Care Inspectorate said it intends to propose the termination of the home’s registration.

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said: “An inspection has identified serious and significant concerns about the quality of care experienced by residents at Bennochy Lodge Care Home in Kirkcaldy.

“We understand this is a difficult and distressing time for residents, their families, and staff at the service.”

The watchdog added that its first priority is the health and well-being of residents.

“Because of our concerns, we have issued an Improvement Notice to the service. This sets out the significant improvements that must be made within a specified timeframe,” the spokesperson said.

“We are in contact with the service and with Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, and are monitoring the service to follow up on the required improvements.”

A spokesperson on behalf of Bennochy Lodge confirmed: “We have received the improvement notice from the Care Inspectorate and have already begun to work on a detailed action plan to comply fully with their requirements.

“We are committed to being open and transparent with our staff and service users as we make the improvements required to achieve full compliance.

“As well as working closely with the Care Inspectorate, we have employed an independent consultancy to help us and are also in regular contact with Scottish Care and the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership as we work towards the improvements required.”