THE HEAD of Community Health and Care Service for South Ayrshire was questioned following a care inspectorate report which slammed the Care at Home Service.

In December 2017, the Care Inspectorate determined that the quality of care and support and quality of staffing was adequate while the quality of management and leadership was deemed weak.

The problems within the service, which allows carers to carry out home visits to patients, was discussed at a Leadership Panel last week where councillors demanded answers and for the problems to be addressed.

The report said: “Whilst we noted some documentation was of a good standard we also continue to find inconsistencies with the overall standard of documentation completed. 

“This results in staff not using personal plans to enhance both the care and social interactions provided, with support delivered at a basic level focusing on tasks and routines rather than individualised personalised care.

“We continue to find evidence of incomplete documentation within the files we checked. This negatively affects people’s experiences of care.”
But a Care at Home Improvement Plan has been drawn up and expected to be functional by December 2018. 

It sets out how medication should be administered and recorded and to ensure that any medication administered is given with the appropriate consent and details of how each medication has to be given. Medication should also be stored properly and securely. 

The service needs to be consistent with documents reflecting the good work carers are achieving in supporting people to regain independence. 
It has been recommended the Home Care Service should continue to develop the quality of staff supervision and ensure that all staff will receive regular planned supervision. The quality of management and leadership has also to be addressed. 

Another inspection is expected to take place on December 28.