'Serious concerns' over care at Inverness nursing home

The Care Inspectorate said the care of the home's residents was its first priority

A watchdog has raised "serious and significant" concerns about the quality of care provided to 40 residents of an Inverness care home.

The Care Inspectorate said it had taken action to cancel the registration of Cradlehall Care Home.

It said it was working with NHS Highland and other organisations to ensure residents were given appropriate care.

St Phillips Care acquired the home from another operator in November, but said since the takeover it had found the complex needs of the residents and the condition of the property difficult to manage.

Cradlehall Care Home has about 50 beds.

The Care Inspectorate said its first priority was the residents' health and wellbeing.

A spokesperson said: “We understand this is a difficult and distressing time for residents, their loved ones and staff at the home."

St Philips Care chief operating officer Tracy Atkins said: “We always hold the happiness and wellbeing of our residents at the heart of all that we do.

"It was always our intention to partially close the home so that we could refurbish it. It may be that we need to close down the whole home, in order to achieve a better result in the longer term.

"We are working closely with NHS Highlands, to find the best solution for the residents in our care.”