Edinburgh care home appeals against Care Inspectorate report

A care home has appealed against a Care Inspectorate report after receiving a weak rating for infection control during the health pandemic.

In their most recent report to the Scottish Parliament, published on Wednesday, the Care Inspectorate identified significant concerns relating to infection prevention and control practice at Lorimer House Nursing Home.

The report stated that cleaning agents did not meet current best practice guidance for care homes and there was inadequate staff access to PPE stations and clinical waste disposal bins.

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The inspector also found several soiled mattresses and mattress covers and dining room furniture contaminated by food waste.

Care home bosses have confirmed that they will be appealing against the rating which they do not believe fairly reflects the service provided.

Based in Juniper Green the care home is owned by Lindemann Healthcare and has capacity to care for 37 elderly people.

Lindemann Healthcare Managing director Sean Black said: “The safety and wellbeing of our residents is our highest priority, and Lorimer House has always received the highest standards during inspections.

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“We are appealing against the recent rating from the Care Inspectorate, as we were graded at this level because we were using a different cleaning solution to the one specified.

“Lorimer House has a robust cleaning regime which was previously inspected at the NHS Covid assurance visit, and the detergents used in the home are a suitable alternative to bleach-based solutions, which are registered to British safety standards.

“It is unfortunate and disappointing that this information was released before the appeal process was complete. We strongly believe that our appeal will be successful and hope that the corrected rating will be reflective of our consistent high standards.”

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said: "Our report laid before Parliament every fortnight summarises inspection findings from inspections recently carried out.

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"Full inspection reports will be published in due course and we are unable to comment further ahead of publication of the full reports beyond noting that during all inspections we check that care providers are following national guidance.

"Where we find areas that need to improve it is important we highlight those so that the care experienced by residents improves where necessary, and is of a standard they have a right to expect.

"As our report laid before the Scottish Parliament points out, we identified significant concerns relating to infection prevention and control practice during the inspection of this service."

Report findings have been shared with Edinburgh’s Health and Social Care Partnership who will assist the care home to improve their service where needed.

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A spokesperson for Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Our priority is always the safety of residents and staff in care homes. Since the beginning of the outbreak we have continued to carefully follow national guidance – as laid out by Health Protection Scotland – and all Edinburgh care homes have access to the appropriate PPE, as outlined in the national guidance.

“We are working with the Care Inspectorate and Public Health to support Lorimer Care Home. Public Health in Scotland have been given a lead role in supporting the wider plan for care homes and we continue to work closely with them.”

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