Ruthrieston House Care Home to Close Following Contract Termination Due to Quality Concerns

A care home, Ruthrieston House, is slated for closure after its contract was terminated by Aberdeen City Council. The decision stems from “serious and significant concerns” about the quality of care raised by the Care Inspectorate, which identified issues with medicine management that placed residents at serious risk. An inspection carried out in October revealed that one resident did not receive their prescribed medication for 13 days, while another became drowsy after medication was left in their mouth. Following a subsequent visit, inspectors issued an improvement notice. In announcing the home’s closure, VSA, the operator of Ruthrieston House, stated it was unable to implement the required improvements “in a satisfactory timeframe.” The organization confirmed the home would close once the council had secured suitable placements for residents with other providers. The council provided VSA with 13 weeks’ notice on December 6, indicating its intention to seek new placements. Sue Freeth, chief executive officer at VSA, affirmed the company’s commitment to finding roles for staff directly affected by the decision. She extended an apology to residents and their loved ones for being “unable to care for them to the high standards that underpins our mission.” She further added: “Our priority continues to be ensuring our residents are safe and well cared for while they are in our care. A new manager who joined us this week will be leading the completion of the required improvements and the day to day service closure.” Concerns at the home first emerged in June, when inspectors determined that the facility was not meeting care standards. VSA stated its response included deploying additional staff on every shift, providing new tools to support “better care and monitoring of residents’ needs,” and actively working to fill staff vacancies. The organization also noted that the Care Inspectorate had acknowledged signs of improvement in October. However, a follow-up inspection led to the issuance of an improvement notice on December 3, which specifically detailed issues with medicine management. The Care Inspectorate outlined five areas requiring attention, including the implementation of more effective auditing of medication. Care home staff were also instructed to ensure that risks to service users are better recorded and addressed. A deadline of January 20 was set for these improvements, a deadline which VSA concluded it would be unable to meet. A new manager has commenced work at the home to oversee the day-to-day service closure. The Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership (ACHSCP) stated: “Given the areas of significant concern highlighted by the Care Inspectorate, Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership and Aberdeen City Council have taken the decision to give notice to VSA to terminate the contract at Ruthrieston House Care Home.” Staff from ACHSCP are collaborating closely with VSA, residents, and families to facilitate a transition for those residing in Ruthrieston House into new services that address their assessed needs as seamlessly as possible. Meetings have been conducted with residents, their families, and Ruthrieston House staff to clearly communicate the decision, and continuous communication and comprehensive support will be extended. This content is copyrighted by the BBC in 2024. All rights are reserved. The BBC states it is not accountable for the content found on external sites and offers details regarding its policy on external linking.