A CARE HOME that had been problematic for Moray Council since it took control in April 2012 looks set to be axed.
Several hundred incidents of “challenging behaviour” has been reported at the Maybank care home in Forres – now a highly critical report is to be presented to councillors at a meeting next week.
The seven-room building was operating as a nursing home for the elderly until it was converted to become a care unit for people with severe disabilities – currently it has four residents.
However, in a report being put before a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday, principal accountant for the local authority, Lorraine Paisley, says that the unsuitable nature of the home has resulted in severe stress for carers and residents alike.
Ms Paisley reports: “The layout of the building and lack of privacy for service users – the noise, lighting and temperature levels can all influence challenging behaviour in the service users.
“The building is actually exacerbating their behaviours – the narrow corridors hinder safe handling procedures and can be a safety hazard for staff.”
Councillors are being asked to approve a £2.5million replacement for Maybank, which is on Forres’ St Catherine’s Road.
The report insists that new, purpose-built accommodation would reduce incidents to the average four per month experienced by similar facilities from the 42 each month being experienced at Maybank.
The report concludes that a new “autism friendly” environment could accommodate up to seven residents and greatly improve their quality of life – while saving around £90,000 per person in annual running costs.
Any decision on a new care home would be subject to public consultation.