A BROTHER and sister team have taken on the running of a care home in Llangollen after concerns were raised by inspectors.

Bethan Mascarenhas and her brother, Richard, have pledged to change things at Abbey Dingle Care Home and make it a place to be “proud of”, after it was handed four “priority action notices” and one area for improvement by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW).

Its inspection report, published earlier this month following its visit in June, also stated that health and safety risks to residents have not been reduced.

While inspectors found residents to be “happy with the care and support they receive” at Abbey Dingle, they also identified “several areas of non-compliance” at the home.

Bethan and Richard, who also run The Old Vicarage Care Home in the town, have stepped in to sort things out.

For the past 37 years, Abbey Dingle has been run by their parents, Kenneth and Carol Mascarenhas, but the couple have both suffered health problems.

Improvements were felt to be needed to the home’s kitchen, bathrooms, and communal areas, including routine servicing and inspection of the facilities in line with health and safety guidance.

Though, the report also acknowledged: “People told us they can choose how to spend their time and have opportunities for activities and engagement.

“Care staff are kind and caring, treating people with respect and ensuring all aspects of their health and wellbeing are met.”

Residents were found to have “choice about their day-to-day life”, and have a “call bell” so that they can alert staff if need be.

The home also provides opportunities for residents to part in activities such as puzzles and quizzes and afternoon tea, while an indoor garden area has also been created.

But improvements were felt to be needed to “keep people as safe as they can be within the service”, with not all staff having completed safeguarding training.

Similarly, the home’s recruitment process was found to require improvement, to ensure all staff are “fit and suitable to work with adults at risk”.

Medication at the home was found to be managed safely, but inspectors felt improvement was needed regarding infection prevention and control procedures.

Likewise, the report added: “We saw clinical waste is handled and disposed of safely, however the storage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the general cleanliness of the service needs to improve.”

Communal areas at the home were found to have cobwebs and dust, while some radiator covers, blinds and walls were stained, and some flooring appeared dirty.

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The current housekeeping arrangements are not sufficient for the size of the home and the number of people living there.

While “themed areas” across the home have proved popular among residents, these have “not been maintained” and now look “tired and dirty”, the report added.

Unused items and equipment stored in communal areas also created a fire hazard, while some windows and doors were unable to be opened.

The home’s kitchen also requires “major improvements”, the report added, though it was accepted that concerns in this regard have begun to be addressed.

CIW’s report added: “The issues found within the themes of wellbeing, environment and leadership and management place people’s health and wellbeing at risk, and we have therefore issued several priority action notices.

“The provider must take immediate action to address these issues.”

In response to the report, Bethan said: “The current CIW report reflects the difficulties that both of my parents have been facing due to both of them ageing and being in ill health.

“As a family unit, my brother and I are now stepping in to take on the running of Abbey Dingle Care Home.

“We have already seen great improvements to the service and we will hopefully go from strength to strength.

“I am currently in the home daily, working hard to rectify any issues that have been identified by the care inspectorate. We are having regular meetings with them to show our progress and improvements.

“I would like to thank our team for their ongoing support as we make the required changes to the leadership of the home.

“They continue to provide consistent care for the residents who call Abbey Dingle Home, as we strive to make improvements in all areas to bring it up to a good standard, to turn the service around into something that we can all be really proud of.”