Care at home service which supports people in Buckie and Elgin taking 'immediate steps' to resolve issues highlighted by Care Inspectorate

THE service provider of a Moray care at home and housing support service says that it is taking 'immediate steps' to resolve issues highlighted by the Care Inspectorate.

Moray Services (Housing Support) supports adults with learning disabilities living in their own homes across Elgin and Buckie.

However, an unannounced inspection, which took place between February 1 and February 7 this year, highlighted 'significant weaknesses' in the service's leadership and ability to support people's wellbeing.

That included criticism of staff for using language and phrases which could be considered demeaning which inspectors said "implied a culture where people were not treated as individuals".

But Cornerstone Community Care, the service provider, insist that 'immediate steps' are being taken to address issues set out by the Care Inspectorate.

Colin Phillips, Director of Delivery for Cornerstone, said: “We have received the recent report from the Care Inspectorate and have taken immediate steps to meet all the requirements outlined.

"The health, wellbeing and safety of all the people we support is an absolute priority for Cornerstone and we are disappointed by the gradings which fall well below our exacting standards.

"We are working closely with the Care Inspectorate, Moray Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), and multi-disciplinary professionals to resolve issues and ensure delivery of an agreed comprehensive action plan with sustained improvements."

The Care Inspectorate will revisit the service in the coming months to establish whether improvements have been made within the required time frames.

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate added: "Our inspection in February identified important areas that need to improve so that the care experienced by people meets a standard they have a right to expect.

“We have reported on these requirements in the inspection report and will revisit this service to check on progress in due course."

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