Death inquiry care home is closed down
OWNERS of a care home facing a police probe into the death of a disabled resident moved to shut down the business last night just hours before a deadline for “urgent and immediate improvements” came into force.
Authorities launched an investigation into the Elsie Inglis Care Home in Edinburgh after a 59-year-old woman fell ill and died earlier this month, and the owners were given until last night to comply with demands for improvement.
The couple behind the business, Dr Nawal Bagaria and his wife Dr Susheela Bagaria, were unavailable for comment, but The Herald understands that they voluntarily de-registered the home because they would have been unable to meet the requirements imposed in time. Their company, Peacock Medicare, still operates two other residences in Livingston: Peacock Nursing Home and Woodlands Nursing Home.
Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS) had launched its own probe into the Edinburgh facility, and gave Elsie Inglis until the close of play yester to enact various measures.
The 59-year-old, who has not been named, was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on May 16 but died two days later. The cause of death has not been revealed. The woman who died had Downs Syndrome and respiratory problems.
(It is) essential that older people and their families have complete confidence in care homes
An earlier report by care watchdog SCSWIS revealed that some residents had been left to eat with their hands, and it delivered a damning verdict on many aspects of care at the home.
Police are investigating the 59-year-olds death, and a report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal. A post mortem examination has been carried out, but the results have not been published.
A SCSWIS spokesman declined to comment on the closure due to police involvement, but the body had previously raised serious concerns about the quality of care provided at the home.
A surprise inspection on April 20 found staff serving food after handling soiled bedclothes without washing their hands and some residents had not had their teeth brushed. Inspectors also found poor interaction between nurses and patients.
We are currently in daily discussions with the local authority, health board and the service providers to ensure that residents are appropriately cared for, a SCSWIS spokesman said earlier this week. We have taken enforcement action against the service in the form of an improvement notice, which demands that the service makes urgent and immediate improvements to the standards of care that are provided at Elsie Inglis Nursing Home.
If the provider does not meet these requirements within a very tight timescale, we will take further action including applying to the sheriff to cancel the registration of the service.
Because of the seriousness of our concerns, we will also be directing further scrutiny on the other care homes operated by the service provider.
Edinburgh City Council said earlier in the week that some residents had been moved to other care homes in the city.
The case prompted calls for the Scottish Government to clarify what action has been taken to prevent a repeat of the incident. Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie has also lodged parliamentary questions on the issue.
A Scottish Government said last night it was essential that older people and their families have complete confidence in care homes. Investigations are ongoing in this case, he added. We will undertake to keep Parliament updated as appropriate.
A police spokesman said efforts to get to the bottom of the case were continuing.
The company that owns the home, Peacock Medicare, declined requests for comment.
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