Balhousie bails out of running Huntly care home
A HUNTLY care home will change operator after the regulator raised "serious and significant concerns".
Care provider Balhousie have announced they will voluntarily withdraw their registration of their site in Huntly.
The news came yesterday (March 29), just hours before they were scheduled to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for failing to make improvements requested by the Care Inspectorate.
An improvement notice was served to Balhousie in February telling them to fix issues which included the administration of medication.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Balhousie Care Group said they could "no longer build a bright future for the home".
The Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership will soon take over caring for the residents.
A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said: “An inspection identified serious and significant concerns about the quality of care experienced by residents at Balhousie Huntly Care Home in Huntly, Aberdeenshire.
“We understand this is a difficult and distressing time for residents, their loved ones and staff at the home.
“However, our first priority is always the health and wellbeing of residents.
"Because of our concerns about the safety of residents we submitted an application to the sheriff court seeking cancellation of the care home’s registration.
“The care provider has now indicated their intention to voluntarily cancel their registration of this service with the Care Inspectorate.
"This could allow new care arrangements to be put in place for residents of the home.
“We are working closely with partners including Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership to ensure that residents experience appropriate care during this difficult time."
A spokesperson for Balhousie Care Group said: “The health and wellbeing of everyone who makes their home with us at Balhousie Care Group has always been our top priority.
“As such, we regularly assess the quality of the services we provide in our homes.
"Despite our best efforts and the investment of significant time and resource, for some time now we have faced substantial recruitment and retention challenges at Balhousie Huntly Care Home.
"While this is an issue that affects the whole social care sector, we have felt its impact acutely in this local area.
“Against this backdrop we have been determined to work closely with the Care Inspectorate and Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership, reviewing what support is needed to positively move the home forward.
"Specific local challenges have finally led us to believe that we can no longer build a bright future for the home.
“We have not taken the decision to cancel the registration lightly and can confirm that none of our other homes or employees are affected in any way.
“For the ongoing future of the home, we continue to work with the Care Inspectorate and Health and Social Care Partnership in order to achieve the best outcomes for our residents and staff team.
“We will be doing everything we can to ensure a smooth transition period for our residents, their loved ones and our colleagues.”
