IMPROVEMENTS have been noted at a Borders care home after a follow-up inspection by a Scottish watchdog.

The Care Inspectorate visited St Ronan’s, a Scottish Borders Council-run facility in Innerleithen, in January to assess what had been done to meet requirements outlined in two reports last year.

At the initial inspection in June the home was rated as ‘adequate’ in three areas, with improvement targets given for the service to meet.

David Parker, the council’s executive member for health and wellbeing, said the latest report following a visit in January showed “encouraging evidence” that the facility was developing well.

The Melrose councillor said: “Throughout the inspection process, inspectors have been clear that the St Ronan’s staff team demonstrate genuine warmth and caring attitudes when supporting residents and they are to be commended for their commitment and hard work.

“This latest report provides encouraging evidence that their efforts are resulting in ongoing improvements at the home.

“With the additional support being provided by senior managers, I have every confidence that progress will continue to be made for the overall benefit of residents, family carers and the staff team themselves.”

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During the June inspection, requirements were made around the supply of medicine and hygiene standards.

These were addressed come the August visit, with a new pharmacy sourced to replace out-of-stock medication and a laundry assistant appointed to minimise the risk of cross infection.

But concerns over staffing levels impacting on the workers’ ability to engage in ‘meaningful’ support continued, resulting in a follow-up inspection last month.

The report on that visit states: “There were sufficient staff to meet the needs of people living in the home at inspection.

“However the changing needs of people living in the home meant that staffing needed to be regularly reassessed to ensure staffing ratios met the health and wellbeing needs of people living in the home, including engaging in meaningful activities.”

The report states that the requirement over staffing had been met, albeit outwith the timescales initially set out.

It added that work was still required to improve support plans.

The council said its adult social care senior management team would undertake “regular, ongoing monitoring” of the situation.