Care home in BBC probe making progress on improvements, says watchdog

An Inverness care home at the centre of a BBC investigation has made progress on improvements to way it is run, an industry watchdog has said.

The Care Inspectorate had ordered Castlehill Care Home to take a number of actions, or risk having its registration cancelled.

Following an unannounced inspection last month, it said requirements around keeping nurse stations secure and additional checks on medication had been met - but further improvements were needed on infection control.

Families of residents accused Castlehill's owners of "cruelty" and "neglect" after a BBC Disclosure investigation broadcast in September revealed a series of care failures.

Castlehill Care Home said since the inspection it had now met all the requirements.

A spokesperson added: "We are committed to providing the highest possible standards of care through evidence-based practice and personalised care plans.

“We would like to thank all our staff, residents and their families for their continued support."

Among areas where the home had improved included keeping nurse and other staff areas locked.

Inspectors said this ensured sensitive information and documents were kept safe and secure.

They said the accuracy of residents' care notes had also improved.

The Care Inspectorate said the administration of medication was being monitored in line with another requirement, and additional checks were in place for "time-critical" medication.

But it said infection prevention and controls was one of the areas Castlehill Care Home had needed to make further improvements.

Inspectors said they were not assured staff were consistently following some protocols, such as regular hand hygiene.

The home was asked to make the improvements by 14 December.

BBC News reporter Catriona MacPhee worked undercover as a cleaner in Castlehill for seven weeks over the summer.

She said in that time she saw vulnerable older people left sitting alone for hours in urine-soaked clothes or lying in wet bedsheets, often calling out for help.

She also saw a female resident screaming in distress over male carers doing intimate personal care, due to chronic staff shortages.

Operated by Morar Living, Castlehill is the biggest care home in Inverness, with beds for 88 people.

Many residents pay for their care themselves while others are paid for by the state.

NHS Highland has paid almost £10m in fees to Castlehill since it opened in 2019.