Garshake sheltered housing complex rated ‘weak’ in inspection

By Bill Heaney

A sheltered housing complex shunted up the water works hill behind the new cemetery at Garshake for people with complex additional needs in Dumbarton has been branded “weak” by inspectors.

The Care Inspectorate has outlined serious concerns about Cornerstone’s Baxter View facility in Garshake, saying: “The service historically provided care and support that was excellent.”

The Inspectorate recently expressed concerns about Alderwood House, formerly Langcraigs Care Home, and ordered the owners to have the deficiencies fixed by the beginning of March.

Of the changes at Baxter House, which is on the farm road about 100 yards from Campbell Avenue, the inspectorate said: “Since the last inspection there had been changes to management and staffing of the service which has had a negative effect on service delivery.”

The Council will not tell us how much Cornerstone paid for the land they built their home on. Or if there were discounts involved.

That was part of the excuse made also by Alderwood House, one of the staff of which came to The Democrat to tell us that our story about them and the background to their owners, Meallmore, who bought Langcraigs from West Dunbartonshire Council for a knockdown price of £250,000 less than the highest bidder.

They said the management had changed and that was responsible for the failures.

One person who claimed to be part of their organisation said our story was not true and was given a right of reply, but tellingly they never replied.

Baxter View is operated by Cornerstone Community Care, a national organisation, which is a registered charity.

It is at the back of beyond in the foothills of the Long Crags and there is no public transport link to it.

“However, people did not always know who was coming to provide their care and support as changes to staffing were not communicated to them. Changes to routine were unsettling for some people and good communication should be paramount.

“There was not a range of opportunities for people and their guardians to be involved in decisions about their service. Therefore, we could not evidence that people’s views or the views of their guardians were being taken into account when their service was being shaped.”

They added: “The quality of people’s experiences were often negatively affected when staff supporting them did not know them well.

“People were not always kept safe, and staff were inconsistent in their reporting of concerns about the safety and wellbeing of people.

“Not all staff were clear about the support required or how to provide it in line with the individual’s needs and wishes.

“This meant that people were not always being supported to achieve their wishes and aspirations and people were not always protected from harm.”

Inspectors also added that there were issues with staff not seeking medical advice following some accidents and incidents, meaning residents didn’t receive the appropriate care.

Issues with a lack of meetings with staff to feedback areas for improvement were also raised, with an interim manager brought in to address complaints raised.

The report concludes: “We found that staff morale had been low due to the lack of support to discuss their workload.

“We found that staff would have benefited from better debriefing on the management of difficult situations and personal safety.

“This meant that we had concerns that staff did not have the right knowledge, competence, and development to care for and support people.”

Colin Phillips, director of delivery for Cornerstone, said: “We have received the report from the Care Inspectorate and have taken immediate steps to meet the requirements outlined.”