Elderly Care Report

Healthcare inspectors have ordered the Victoria Hospital to address ten areas for improvement.

It follows an unannounced inspection by Healthcare Improvement Scotland in February which focussed on the standard of care being provided for older people.

Inspectors found that the completion of fluid balance and food chart record charts were poor and medical and nursing documents weren't always dated and timed.

NHS Fife has been ordered to address the areas for improvement as a matter of priority.

Speaking of the report, Jacqui Macrae, Head of Quality of Care, said: “This inspection found evidence that NHS Fife have made significant improvements following our previous inspections in May and December 2013. In particular, we found the completion of adults with incapacity documentation and the completion of assessments for patients on admission to hospital, had improved. Staff told us they felt supported and we saw evidence that the majority of wards had made changes to improve the environment for patients with dementia. However, we did identify areas where NHS Fife must improve the care provided to older people. For instance, the completion of fluid balance and food record charts was poor, and medical and nursing documentation was not always dated and timed. This inspection resulted in 10 areas for improvement and nine areas of good practice. NHS Fife must address the areas for improvement we have identified as a matter of priority.”