A GREENOCK care home which was ordered to make improvements to services after receiving 'weak' gradings in key areas by an industry watchdog has been upgraded to 'adequate'. 

The Care Inspectorate made two unannounced visits to Little Sisters of the Poor, also known as Holy Rosary Care Home, in January and again in May this year. 

In January, inspectors gave the home 'weak' gradings for how people's wellbeing was supported, and how care and support was planned. 

The watchdog discovered that a resident had been left without important medication for two days. 

Leadership received an 'adequate' grading, as did the staff team, and the setting of the home was rated as 'good'. 

Inspectors said: "Whilst some strengths could be identified they were compromised by significant weaknesses.

"The service was very good at meeting people's spiritual needs and people told us they chose the care home because of its strong church connection."

After the visit in January, inspectors highlighted issues around the care of residents with cognitive impairment including dementia. 

They said: "We observed some of these people show signs of stress and distress whilst lacking stimulation and engagement in their day. 

"When we spoke with staff about their knowledge of dementia and stress and distress, we were told they had only received basic training on dementia."

After the May visit, inspectors said all care staff and non care staff and some volunteers had completed dementia awareness training. 

They added: "This had given staff a greater understanding of the challenges faced by people living with dementia and enabled staff to demonstrate empathy and compassion.

"This assured us that people's needs were being assessed by people who knew them well."

In January, said medication records were 'unclear in places' that there were 'no protocols' around the administration of medication 'as and when required'. 

They added: "This increases the risk that medication is administered inconsistently and not as prescribed."

In May, inspectors said the home had developed a 'robust protocol' for the management of medication which set out 'clear practice guidance for all staff responsible for medication duties'.

When care bosses visited early in the year, they said they 'did not see evidence of meaningful activities taking place on the main care floor with people who had higher levels of support needs'. 

They reported that families whose relatives were unable to join in group activities or leave their bed said their relatives felt isolated.

After the May visit, inspectors said: "Where people opted to stay in their rooms for most of the day, one-to-one activities took place.

"This reduced the risk of people becoming bored and isolated."

In January, inspectors found the home had made progress since the last inspection regarding food and fluid provision and nutrition management, but said further improvements were required.

After the May visit, the watchdog said the service had 'worked well to meet the improvements required in this area', and highlighted the introduction of a new menu. 

They said: "The choice and variety of food on offer to people using the service was plentiful and nutritionally balanced."

Health inspectors reviewed the home's internal accidents and incidents record and discovered that some events which were notifiable to the Care Inspectorate and Inverclyde Council had not been reported. 

Early in the year, resident reviews were found to be out of date, and inspectors said some information relating to individuals' care was recorded inconsistently resulting in an inaccurate picture of an individual's need. 

After the May visit, inspectors said almost all residents within the home had a review of their care needs within the last three months, and said families had attended meetings and shared their input. 

A spokesperson for the care home said staff are are doing everything they can to bring the standard up in the 'weak' areas. 

They added: "The residents are well cared for and very happy here and we receive very positive feedback from them. 

"We are working very, very hard on everything that has been brought up to make sure these requirements are met. 

"These things take time and an awful lot of work is being done."

Activities co-ordinator Jeanette McKechnie added: "We credit ourselves with person-centred care for every resident. 

"We've recently set up a dementia garden and we have a lot of summer activities happening. 

"Everything is positive on the road ahead. 

"We are keeping residents active and happy and they are thriving."