Watchdog says care home under BBC investigation is making progress on improvements

An Inverness-based care facility, Castlehill Care Home, has reportedly made improvements in its operations, according to the Care Inspectorate. The regulatory body had previously required the home to implement several measures or risk losing its registration.

During a recent unannounced inspection, the Care Inspectorate confirmed that Castlehill had met requirements related to securing nurse stations and adding extra checks on medication administration. However, inspectors noted that infection control measures still required further attention.

In a BBC Disclosure investigation aired in September, families of residents accused the care home of neglect and mistreatment, highlighting a series of failings in the standard of care provided. Castlehill Care Home has been approached for comments. Earlier, a spokesperson emphasized that the home was cooperating with authorities and committed to maintaining improvements.

Specific areas of progress include securing staff areas to protect sensitive information and improving the accuracy of residents' care records. Additionally, medication administration is now monitored more closely, with extra verification for time-critical medications.

Despite these advances, inspectors remain concerned about infection prevention. Staff were observed not always following hygiene protocols consistently, and the home has been given a deadline of 14 December to make the necessary improvements.

BBC reporter Catriona MacPhee, who worked undercover as a cleaner at Castlehill for seven weeks, reported seeing vulnerable residents left unattended in unsanitary conditions. She also observed incidents where residents expressed distress due to intimate care being provided amidst staff shortages.

Managed by Morar Living, Castlehill is the largest care home in Inverness, offering 88 beds. Care is funded both privately by residents and through public funds, with NHS Highland contributing nearly 10 million in fees since the home opened in 2019.

Author: Sophia Brooks