Council / Glowing inspection report for Lerwick care home
A LERWICK care home has received a glowing report from inspectors after a surprise visit in late August and early September.
Newcraigielea, on Seafield Road, received three very good and one good rating after the unannounced inspection on 31 August and 1 September this year.
The home, run by Shetland Islands Council, is a short-stay and respite facility for people with learning disabilities and multiple complex needs.
At the time of the inspection there were five people receiving overnight care, two of whom were long-term residents.
One relative told inspectors that staff at Newcraigielea had gone “above and beyond” to ensure that people staying at the home were supported to do what they wanted to.
And another said the service had been “transformational” for their relative staying at the home.
Inspectors said they themselves witnessed “kind, compassionate and fun interactions between people and staff”.
“People were relaxed and enjoyed making use of communal spaces in a natural and comfortable manner.
“A relative shared that the person’s health had improved and described the service as ‘transformational’.
“These comments were consistent with our own observations, reflecting a calm and supportive environment where people felt at ease and well cared for.”
Care Inspectorate Scotland found that anyone needing medical support was well supported, with advice promptly sought from professionals when changes were observed in people.
Medication was also well managed, it said, with “effective communication” between staff, families and health professionals to ensure any changes to medication were “clearly and promptly conveyed”.
Inspectors found that people were encouraged to remain physically active and to make use of the outdoor spaces, including attending events organised by Ability Shetland.
People were also able to visit local shops and cafés, view cruise ships and attend fitness classes.
“These activities were tailored to people’s preferences and contributed positively to their wellbeing,” inspectors found.
People were also “actively involved” in the planning and preparation of their meals at Newcraigielea, with menus tailored to reflect their preferences.
This ensured that they “had choice and that meals met their dietary requirements.” “People enjoyed their meals in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, which contributed positively to their overall wellbeing and comfort within the service.”
Care Inspectorate Scotland rated Newcraigielea as “very good” for supporting people’s wellbeing, its staff team and for how it planned out care and support.
Staff were “motivated, effectively deployed, and demonstrated strong teamwork”, they said, which enabled them to “spend meaningful time with people”.
“Staff had time and were willing to participate in activities, contributing to a supportive and engaging environment,” the inspectors found.
“We heard that staff were flexible in their approach, including adjusting their start times to facilitate community outings.
“This ensured that people’s needs and preferences were prioritised, and that opportunities for social engagement were maximised.”
Staff at Newcraigielea also spoke positively about the support they received, with one member telling Care Inspectorate Scotland: “”I have never been part of a more supported team”.
Newcraigielea’s setting was the only thing that did not achieve the “very good” rating, instead being rated as “good”.
Inspectors said a review of staff training records found that infection control training needed updated, to ensure people were protected from the risk of infection.
And they said the layout of the laundry area “did not align with best practice design standards.”
It said the home needed to effectively segregate clean and dirty linen to prevent cross-contamination, encouraging them to designate “clean” and “dirty” zones within the room.
However they said that people at Newcraigielea “benefitted from a warm, comfortable, welcoming environment with plenty of fresh air, natural light and sufficient space”.
“Significant effort had been made to develop a sensory garden, complete with appropriate furniture and features that encouraged outdoor engagement,” the inspectors found.
“This space provided people with an opportunity to spend time outdoors in a stimulating and calming environment.”
No follow-up inspection is required as a result of the positive report for Newcraigielea.
The care service provides respite to a maximum of nine people with learning disabilities, with up to four places also available for people who require interim care for a period of up to nine months.
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