AN IRVINE care home has been told to improve staffing levels and medication standards by the Care Inspectorate.
An unannounced inspection of Fullarton Care Home in November found that, whilst most recommendations set out during last summer’s inspection, had been met, there were still some failings.
A report released by the Care Inspectorate found “inconsistent” records relating to the administration of medicines and the application of creams and lotions to residents.
The report says when staff at the Bupa-run home were administering medication to residents, there was repeated inconsistencies on who was given what.
The report states: “We continued to find some gaps in medication recording sheets. We spoke with the manager and the staff and were given an explanation for one persons omission. We were assured that this was an administrative issue.
“We completed a reconciliation of one individuals’ medication. We found that staff had recorded that one more dose than had actually been received for that person had been given. “This suggests an error in recording. We also checked the medication carried forward and found that this was not accurately recorded. We noted that for one individual the balance of medication received had not been recorded as expected.”
The report also found similar problems with the application of creams.
According to National Care Standards: “Administration records should be completed by the individual, who administered the product at the time of administration.”
However the report says staff at Fullarton Care Home were not adhering to the standards - a problems flagged up during a previous inspection in June 22, 2015.
But despite recommendations to improve, the report says, problems are still ongoing.
The report states: “We found inconsistent recording of the application of creams and lotions. On some occasions, nurses completed entries in medication records and others were recorded by care assistants on topical medication records.
“This recommendation is repeated until consistency is achieved and topical medication records are completed by the individual who applied the preparation.
However the care home manager assured inspectors that all staff had training in documenting medication, however was unable to provide all of the appropriate paperwork.
Fullarton Nursing Home is a modern purpose-built facility which provides care for up to 50 older people, some of whom may have dementia. 
However the report found that staffing levels were problematic leaving them feeling “pressured” and unable to spend time with residents.
The report states: “Overall, staff felt that they had very little time to spend with residents outwith direct care tasks.”
A spokesperson for the home said they had taken "immediate action" following the inspection report.
She said: “We are pleased that the Care Inspectors recognised that our residents are happy with their care. 
“However, we have taken immediate action to address the issues raised in the report. This includes recruiting additional permanent staff and strengthening our medication management systems.
“The health and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority.”