NOTEBOOK by BILL HEANEY
Meallmore, a Highland-based care company, have just presented the Carer of the Year award in the 2024 Meallmore Colleague Awards to a member of staff at the now named Alderwood House, which they bought with a £250,000 discount from West Dunbartonshire Council.
The member of staff won the award for his “exemplary skills and approach” with residents. These were highlighted as reasons for his recognition. He is, we are told, “known for working closely with residents, helping to overcome obstacles in a ‘professional, supportive and sympathetic manner.'”
And that these efforts have been appreciated by the residents, their families and his colleagues, the press release states. The Meallmore Colleague Awards is an event that acknowledges the efforts of individuals working in Scotland’s care sector, the media release claims.
It adds: “Meallmore is a provider of elderly and specialist care in Scotland, and its awards event is in its 13th year. The 2024 ceremony was held at the Dunblane Hydro and attended by 200 people from Meallmore’s 26 care homes across Scotland. All 2,000 employees of Meallmore were eligible for an award, with nominations coming from residents, their families, visiting professionals, and other team members.”
Remember, gentle reader, this company received a £250,000 discount from allegedly skint West Dunbartonshire Council.
Upon receiving his award, the winner is quoted as saying: “It’s amazing to win this award. I honestly never expected it and it’s good to get recognition every so often. It obviously means the most to our residents as well, so I’m really pleased.”
Well, neither did I expect it. In fact, I too was amazed – but for very different reasons.
Cillian Hennessey, Chief Executive Officer of Meallmore, said: “Our teams work tirelessly to deliver high standards of care across all our services, always going the extra mile for our residents and their families.
“I’m immensely proud of the care, professionalism, and collaborative approach that is clear to see in each of our homes up and down the country.
“Our annual awards are a perfect opportunity to acknowledge the incredible work being done on a daily basis; recognising the difference each and every one of our Meallmore colleagues.”
What a lot of palaver. It’s not always been like that at Meallmore. In fact, you would would think they would be running off to hide at the thought of seeking publicity for their business given its track record which was exposed earlier this year in The Democrat.
Here is a taste of that:
Alderwood House: Cut price Dumbarton home reported to Care Commission
By Bill Heaney
All those complaints – three relating to communication between staff and service users, relatives or carers, two for inadequate healthcare or healthcare treatment, and one relating to nutrition, were upheld, according to the Care Inspectorate’s website.
The complaints were lodged in August and a series of requirements and ‘areas for improvement’ were ordered in October after the complaints were upheld.
Inspectors carried out a follow-up inspection on December 12-15 – and a report published recently reveals that a key requirement made in October still hasn’t been met.
The former council-owned Langcraigs which was sold off under the SNP administration for a knockdown price of under £1 million with purchasers receiving a £250,000 discount.
Five areas for improvement were also put in place in October – and the new report says that “there continued to be improvement required in all five areas”.
The owners, Meallmore, purchased the property, the former council-owned Langcraigs Care Home in Gooseholm Road, Dumbarton, after receiving a £250,000 discount from West Dunbartonshire Council.
An elderly resident who was injured in a Meallmore care home and ex-councillor Iain MacLaren, who thought the company should be given a discount on the purchase price from the Council.
The sale, recommended in committee by Cllr Iain MacLaren, went ahead despite warnings in The Democrat about Meallmore’s track record involving serious injuries to people in their care and at least one death.
According to the new report, less than one in five care plans for the home’s 32 residents had been audited and reviewed since October.
The latest report also highlighted incomplete training for staff, which meant that some employees were unable to properly record changes to people’s presentation.
The report stated: “Only one staff member out of 22 has completed training in preventing and managing pressure ulcers. Some training has been provided on mental health.
“However, uptake has been insufficient; there was a mandatory course on acquired brain injury however 30 per cent of staff have still to complete this.
It was revealed previously told how the facility had received an ‘adequate’ gradings in its first inspection report after inspectors assessed the home’s support for people’s wellbeing and its level of care and support during the pandemic.
Despite all the warnings about secrecy and lack of transparency in public and government bodies in Scotland, basket case West Dunbartonshire Council refused to comment to The Democrat on this important local issue. The Care Commission also refused to make any statement.