CARE homes in the West of Scotland have vowed to make improvements to elderly services after being hit with the worst possible grades by care watchdogs and scores of official complaints.

Data, obtained by the Evening Times, shows 18 privately run care homes in the West of Scotland - including three in the city of Glasgow - have been rated weak or unsatisfactory by the Care Inspectorate in one or more categories in their last inspections. A total of 47 complaints against the home have been upheld, either partially or in full.

Those on the hit list include Campsie View Care home in Kirkintilloch, which was told to make ‘urgent improvements’ following a damning inspection which warned, last week, that residents were at risk of harm and neglect. The home was given the lowest possible rating of 1 (unsatisfactory) for the care of residents. Four Seasons Healthcare, which runs the home said problem are now being addressed.

Colisdene Care Centre in Strathaven, run by Canterbury Care, was also given the lowest rating for the home enviroment residents and has been issued with an enforcement notice, which in the most serious cases can lead to a care home losing its registration. The home was warned to improve safety procedures involving medication given to elderly residents.

READ MORE: Find your area: All 18 care homes given worst ratings by inspectors

A spokeswoman for the home said: “We were disappointed and surprised by the sudden and drastic reduction in grading, however we are working closely with the Care Inspectorate to address the concerns raised. 

“We acknowledge the need to address some cosmetic environmental issues, and a refurbishment programme has already begun with regard to this.”

Well Hall Residential Home in Hamilton and Ballantine Court in Larkhall have also been hit with enforcements by care watchdogs.

Ballantine Court, which is run by Wellcare Homes Ltd, has received the highest number of complaints, with seven upheld or partially upheld over the past three years.

Two Glasgow care homes, both run by Oakminister Health Ltd, were among those rated weak in one or more areas; Chester Park Care Home in Kinning Park and Cumbrae House in Hillhead.

Chester Park was rated in the second lowest category for staff and leadership while Cumbrae House, in the city’s West End, was given the second lowest rating for care, support and wellbeing of residents, care planning and leadership. An official complaint against the home was also upheld by the Care Inspectorate. The company declined to comment on the latest inspection report.

READ MORE: Care home near Glasgow slated after concerns of 'harm and neglect' of residents

Westlea Care Home, in Neilston, which is run by Third Life Care Ltd was rated weak for care, support and wellbeing, care support planning and staff team. One complaint was upheld or partially upheld by the Care Inspectorate from 2017-18.

A spokesman for the home said: “There was poor practice going on in the home but action has already been taken to address the issues raised by the Care Inspectorate.We are due to be inspected again, in August.

“There are new national care standards in place that have set the bar much higher for care homes.

“You will generally find that care homes are receiving lower ratings because of the new national guidelines.

“We are graded under different categories, with subheadings. You can get three 5s and one 2 but you are then graded as a 2. They don’t take an average. It’s quite onerous.” 

Oxton House Residential Home, which is listed under the ownership of Mr and Mrs C Connell, was rated ‘weak’ for care, support and planning and leadership.

A spokeswoman for the home said: “We provide a high level of care. It was some paperwork that was not up to scratch.”

Applecross Nursing Home, in the Hurlet, was rated weak for the care and support of residents, care planning and leadership.

A spokeswoman for the home, said: “We have had some issues in the past with staffing but have been working really hard to improve our service because it means everything to us. 

“We have increased our staffing levels and increased training for our nurses and we are waiting for the care inspectorate coming in.”

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Abbeydale Court Care Centre in Hamilton, run by Abbey Healthcare was rated ‘weak’ for care, support and wellbeing.

A spokesman for the home said: “We weren’t expecting the low grades but we are confident that we have met all the points in the action plan.”

Flemington Care Home in Cambuslang, was hit with ‘weak’ ratings in four categories including the care of residents and four complaints have been upheld by the Care Inspectorate in the past three years.

Brian McNamara, Director of the home said: "A full action plan has been implemented to address the issues raised and consequently raise the grades on the next inspection."

Other care homes rated weak in one of more categories were; Greenhills Care Home in Biggar,  run by Thistle Healthcare, Dalmellington Care Centre, Fairknowe in Maybole, Hutton Park Care Home, run by Hutton Park Ltd, Kintyre Care Centre in Campbelton run by HC One, Lornebank Care Centre in Hamilton, Belhaven House in Troon run by Mansefield Care Homes and Cumbrae Lodge Care Home in Irvine.

A spokesman for Kintyre Care Home, run by HC-ONE, said: "The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents are our top priorities and we take all feedback from the Care Inspectorate very seriously.

"While we recognise there are still areas we need to work on, we are pleased that when the Care Inspectorate visited in April 2019 they gave the home an improved result with a rating of ‘adequate’ in four out of their five judged categories."

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A spokewoman for Cumbrae Lodge said: "We regret that Cumbrae Lodge has fallen below the high standards that we expect and that the Care Inspectorate requires. We have put in place a comprehensive action plan and are fully supporting the home to ensure this is delivered."

Lornebank Care Home said it had been working closely with the Care Inspectorate to urgently address issues raised in their last inspection, including improvements in staffing, training and facilitie

A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said: “We know from our inspections that the majority of care homes for older people perform well.

“At 31 May, across this area there were 300 care homes for older people, of these, 283 of these had been graded. 

“More than 90% of those were graded at least ‘adequate’ or above at their last inspection for at least one key question and more than half had at least one minimum grade of good or above.

“However, where people experience care which does not meet the standard they have a right to expect, we can and do take swift action to improve them.

“We have taken enforcement action against four care homes across the area since April last year.

“We continue to work closely with all care services to support improvement so that everyone in Scotland can experience high quality care and we will not hesitate to take action where it is needed.”

“Anyone with a concern about a care service is encouraged to contact us, anonymously if required, on 0345 600 9527.”

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All homes listed were given the opportunity to respond to the data, which is correct as of May 31 2019.