Warnings of failing home care 'ignored', says union
The GMB said workers repeatedly warned Sutherland Care at Home Service managers that visits were being missed or cut short due to "understaffing and unrealistic schedules".
Last month, the Care Inspectorate highlighted "serious and significant concerns" and said it could be closed down without immediate improvement.
NHS Highland said it would work closely with staff to put actions in place as soon as possible, adding that it had begun an investigation.
Care at Home offers support to people who find it difficult to manage daily routines.
More stories from the Highlands and Islands
News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds
Lesley-Anne MacAskill, GMB Scotland organiser in the Highlands, said staff had welcomed the Care Inspectorate report.
She said: "They repeatedly warned the service was understaffed, repeatedly warned their visit schedules were unrealistic, and repeatedly warned management were failing to properly communicate with staff, service users and their families.
"Every one of these warnings were ignored and the failure to respond put both staff and service users at risk."
She added: "It is regrettable that it needs the intervention of the Care Inspectorate to make NHS Highland listen."
Ms MacAskill said the criticism of the service had distressed care workers.
In their report, inspectors acknowledged it was a "difficult and distressing time" for staff at the Sutherland service, but added that their first priority was always the health and wellbeing of care users.
The Care Inspectorate issued an improvement notice calling for "safe and compassionate care and treatment" by a deadline of 25 May.
The regulator stressed that this included support with medication, help with skin health and mobility assistance.
Inspectors also said service users needed to be kept safe and healthy by ensuring that medication was "handled and administered correctly".
Steps to ensure effective governance is in place to monitor the quality of care were also requested.
The Care Inspectorate said that "failure to demonstrate compliance" with the improvements could lead to the service's registration being cancelled.
NHS Highland said the watchdog had highlighted a number of areas for improvement.
Pamela Stott, chief officer for adult social care, said: "We recognise this may cause anxiety for service users, their families and our staff.
"We have developed an action plan to ensure the recommendations outlined in the Improvement Notice are implemented as quickly as possible."
NHS Highland said a review process called a Large Scale Investigation (LSI) had formally started.
Ms Stott said: "We are contacting service users, families and staff to provide support and guidance, including a direct contact from within our local social work teams.
"We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, and we want to reassure the local community we are working to address these concerns as soon as we can."
NHS Highland
GMB Scotland
Care Inspectorate
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
What to do if you have measles - symptoms and when to call for a doctor or 999
Measles can cause serious issues among some people, and it's known to spread 'very easily', so here is everything you need to know. The infection can be prevented by having the MMR vaccine, but if you do get measles, it's worth knowing the symptoms to look out for, when you need to call for medical help and how to avoid spreading it further. The NHS website explains: 'Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth.' Cold-like symptoms can include a high temperature, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a cough or red, sore and watery eyes. Measles cases are rising in England. You can still ask your GP practice for the MMR vaccine if your child has missed either of these 2 doses. For more info ➡️ — NHS (@NHSuk) January 19, 2024 You might start to notice small white spots in the mouth, including inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips. It's not unusual for these spots to last for a few days. Once you've had the cold-like symptoms for a few days, you will probably start to develop a rash, which usually starts on the face and behind the ears. It then spreads to the rest of the body, the NHS explains. The rash isn't usually itchy, and sometimes the measles rash can be raised and join other parts to make blotchy patches. On white skin, the rash often looks red or brown, but it can sometimes be harder to see on black or brown skin. The NHS adds: 'It's very unlikely to be measles if you've had both doses of the MMR vaccine or you've had measles before.' The NHS outlines when you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111, including if: you think you or your child may have measles your child is under 1 year old and has come into contact with someone who has measles you've been in close contact with someone who has measles and you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system you or your child have a high temperature that has not come down after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen you or your child have difficulty breathing – you may feel more short of breath than usual your baby or young child is not feeding well, or taking less feeds or fluids than usual you or your child are weeing less than usual (or your baby has fewer wet nappies) you or your child feels very unwell, or you're worried something is seriously wrong The health service added: 'Measles can spread to others easily. Call your GP surgery before you go in. They may suggest talking over the phone. 'You can also call 111 or get help from 111 online.' Heat rash is common during hot weather. It is uncomfortable, but usually harmless. It usually gets better on its own after a few days. Here are some tips to help you check if you have heat rash – and advice on how to treat it. More info ➡️ — NHS (@NHSuk) June 21, 2025 You should call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child has measles and: have a seizure (fit) severe difficulty breathing – you're gasping, choking or not able to get words out (babies may make grunting noises or their stomach may suck under their ribcage) are unable to stay awake – cannot keep their eyes open for more than a few seconds suddenly become confused – your child may be very unsettled, behaving differently, or crying non-stop your child is limp, floppy or not responding normally – their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head and focus on your face a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it a stiff neck or find light uncomfortable or painful Measles will spread when a person who is infected coughs, sneezes or breathes. The NHS said: 'You're infectious from when you first have symptoms (around 4 days before the rash appears) until 4 days after you get the rash.' Recommended reading: Should I take Vitamin D in the summer? What health experts advise TV doctor highlights the importance of incoporating exercise in your daily life Worst day of the year' for hay fever as pollen count tops 'very high' across UK If you have measles, it's advised that you wash your hands often using soap and warm water, use tissues to cough and sneeze into and throw them away in the bin when finished with them. It's important that you avoid sharing cutlery, cups, towels, clothes and bedding. You can find out more about measles via the NHS website, linked above.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Measles outbreak leaves several children ‘seriously unwell' as alert issued by NHS
A measles outbreak on Merseyside has left several children 'seriously unwell', a top NHS hospital has warned as it urged people to get vaccinated to help combat the spread of the disease. The rise in cases, according to an alert on Alder Hey Children's Hospital websites, is also driving an increase in patients attending its A&E. In an open letter, published on Monday, the trust's senior directors warned: 'Measles is putting children and young people at risk within our communities and our hospital. Several children are seriously unwell and receiving treatment at Alder Hey Children's Hospital. 'Measles is on the rise amongst our children. We can all help stop it. Get vaccinated now.' It warned that the reason there are more cases of the virus is because fewer people are having the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The trust said the number of children being treated at Alder Hey hospital over measles is increasing and warned 'children in hospital who are very poorly for another reason, are at higher risk of catching the virus.' In a separate, now-deleted post on its website, Alder Hey said it was experiencing high levels of A&E attendances and that it was 'seeing an increase in children presenting with symptoms of measles.' Measles is highly contagious and, in rare cases, can be fatal. Symptoms usually begin with a runny nose, sneezing, coughing and a high temperature. A measles rash follows a few days after, starting on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body. The virus can also cause red, sore eyes. From 26 May to 29 June, there were 133 cases of measles reported to the UK Health Security Agency. Last month UK Health Security Agency published a warning over continued outbreaks and the risk of infection on holiday after data showed 420 measles cases were reported in England between January and May 2025. The majority of those cases, 66 per cent, were in children aged 10 years and under. London had the highest number of cases overall in 2025, with 162. In the four weeks to 5 June, 19 cases, 25 per cent, were reported in the North West and 11 per cent in the West Midlands. #Measles is highly infectious. One person with measles can infect up to 15 others! The best way to protect against measles and stay safe is to have 2 doses of the MMR vaccine. Here's Consultant in Paediatric Public Health at Alder Hey, Rachel Isba, to tell you more: — 🏥 Alder Hey 💙 (@AlderHey) July 6, 2025 Liverpool City Council published a plea on 4 July to parents to get children vaccinated amid a rise in cases across Merseyside. In the warning, Dr Merav Kliner, deputy director for UK Health Security Agency in the North West said: 'With declines in childhood vaccine uptake, including MMR, observed in many countries around the world over the last decade, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now seeing the impact of this with large measles outbreaks globally including recently in Europe and England last year.' 'Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and spreads rapidly among those who are unvaccinated and is often the canary in the coalmine for vaccine preventable diseases. 'We are concerned that this could be an early warning sign of other possible disease outbreaks both globally and here at home, especially over the summer months as families with unvaccinated children and adults travel to countries where diseases are endemic or outbreaks are occurring.'
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Regulator warns of small risk of serious condition in people having RSV jab
The medicines regulator has issued a warning to NHS health staff about a small increased risk of a rare condition affecting the nerves in people vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare but serious condition which needs urgent treatment in hospital to prevent it progressing. It can affect people's senses, movement, breathing and heartbeat – usually starting in the arms and legs before spreading to other areas. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a drug alert for the Abrysvo (made by Pfizer) and Arexvy (GSK) vaccines for RSV after they were linked to 21 suspected cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome in adults aged 60 and over. However, the Commission on Human Medicines still advises that 'the benefits of vaccination against RSV outweigh the small risk of developing Guillain-Barre syndrome in older adults'. In its alert, the MHRA said: 'Healthcare professionals should advise all recipients of Abrysvo and Arexvy that they should be alert to signs and symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome and, if they occur, to seek immediate medical attention as it requires urgent treatment in hospital.' It warned staff to be alert to the signs and symptoms of the syndrome. It added that there is currently no evidence of an increased risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome in pregnant women following vaccination with Abrysvo, the only RSV vaccine approved for use during pregnancy. The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus, which can make older adults and babies seriously ill. RSV can cause bronchiolitis in babies which can cause breathing problems, while it can cause pneumonia in older people, both of which may require hospital stays. The Pfizer RSV vaccine Abrysvo is currently offered on the NHS to adults aged 75 to 79 and to pregnant women. The GSK RSV vaccine Arexvy is not currently available on the NHS but may be available privately in the UK. Symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome can include tingling, numbness or pins and needles in feet and hands, muscle weakness and difficulty moving joints. There may also be problems breathing and drooping face muscles or trouble swallowing or speaking. Up to June 2, the MHRA has received 21 Yellow Card reports of suspected Guillain-Barre syndrome in older adults (aged 75-79 where known) following Abrysvo. This is in the context of over 1.9 million doses of Abrysvo administered, it said. Over the same time period, the MHRA has not received any Yellow Card reports of suspected Guillain-Barre syndrome following Arexvy, however there has been very limited use of this vaccine in the UK to date. In the US, one study suggested Abrysvo and Arexvy were associated with nine and seven excess Guillain-Barre syndrome cases per million vaccine doses administered, respectively.
