A Hawick councillor is calling for assurances over the quality of care at Deanfield care home. 

Earlier this month, Scottish Borders Council called in healthcare watchdogs after finding that the quality of care had fallen below an acceptable standard. 

Speaking at the time, a spokesperson for the council’s arms-length care company SB Cares said: “We identified internally the quality of care within Deanfield is below the high quality care standards we demand.

“As a result we have contacted and invited the Care Inspectorate in to work with us to ensure that all appropriate actions take place as soon as possible.  

“In order to deliver the improvements as soon as possible we have put in place additional support at the highest level using our most experienced and skilled staff.”

Now, Hawick and Hermitage councillor Watson McAteer is calling on the council to give assurances that the problems at the care home are being rectified. 

At the next meeting of Scottish Borders Council, due to be held on Thursday, August 29, councillor McAteer will ask the ruling executive: “The unacceptable quality of care being provided to the elderly and vulnerable residents of the Deanfield care centre in Hawick has caused great concern and anxiety. 

“This council acted appropriately by inviting the Care Inspectorate to review the centre once problems had been identified. 

“Can the executive member reassure members that all of the issues identified as a result of this inspection are being fully addressed. 

“Can he also confirm that action is underway to ensure that there are no similar failings at other care facilities situated across the Scottish Borders.

“Finally, can he explain how this failure has been allowed to occur and what steps are now in place to ensure the safety and well-being of those under the care of this council.”

The involvement of the Care Inspectorate at Deanfield care home is not the first time healthcare watchdogs have been called in. 

In July last year, it was revealed that SB Cares was ordered to make improvements to staff training at Deanfield Care Home in Hawick back in May 2017.

However, a year later, care home inspectors once again had to demand that staff training be improved, despite initially asking for this to be completed within six weeks.

These demands for improvements are known as requirements. Each time a requirement is given to a service, it is given six weeks to implement improvements.

According to the Care Inspectorate, requirements are made ‘where (a) there is evidence of poor outcomes for people using the service or (b) there is the potential for poor outcomes which would affect people’s health, safety or welfare.’