Coronavirus: 'Substantial improvements' at Skye care home

Home Farm care home

Ten residents have died at Home Farm in Portree

"Substantial improvements" have been made at a care home on Skye where 10 residents have died in a coronavirus outbreak, a court has heard.

The Care Inspectorate had taken legal action to have the owners of Home Farm in Portree removed as the care provider.

But it said improvements had since been made after NHS Highland was brought in to effectively run the home last week.

A final decision on care provision has been deferred until next month.

Due to lockdown restrictions, the court hearing was heard remotely by Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald.

A joint motion was put forward to continue the case for three weeks.

'Nuclear option'

Roddy Dunlop QC, representing the Care Inspectorate, said that while improvements had been made at the HC-One-owned home, it would be wrong to say all concerns had been addressed.

He said the inspectorate was seeking a situation where the care of the residents could be continued with little disruption - instead of the "nuclear option" of the suspension of HC-One's registration.

Under the plan, weekly inspections will be carried out by the Care Inspectorate.

Peter Gray, representing HC-One, said the matter was being taken seriously and the collaborative approach provided a "firm foundation".

Sheriff MacDonald said the community needed a pragmatic solution. The case will call again on 10 June.

The Care Inspectorate brought the action after an unannounced inspection raised "serious and significant concerns".

NHS Highland is assisting HC-One with social care management, nursing leadership and direct care at Home Farm.

All but four of the home's 34 residents and 29 staff have contracted the virus.

'Visiting regularly'

Following the hearing, a spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said: "The Care Inspectorate is working closely with partners at NHS Highland and others to ensure people living at Home Farm experience safe care.

"We are monitoring the situation in the home closely and will be visiting regularly to check on progress."

NHS Highland said HC-One was being given time to continue making improvements towards the standards that would satisfy the Care Inspectorate and the health board.

The health board said: "NHS Highland's primary aim is to see the best possible care for the residents of Home Farm care home.

"NHS Highland will continue to support a partnership approach to effectively jointly address the situation at Home Farm care home on Skye."

John Kirk, managing director of HC-One Scotland, said the company was pleased with the court's decision.

He said: "We look forward to continuing our strong and effective partnership with NHS Highland as we progress with our robust action plan and remain wholly focused on delivering the best possible care, both now and for the long term."