STANDARDS of care have been found to have vastly improved at a Porthmadog nursing home where patients could not be assured of having their pain controlled and a shortage of staff meant that calls for help went unanswered.

In June, inspectors from the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales served seven non-compliance notices on the owners of the Madog Nursing Home in Porthmadog which is registered for 44 people.

They visited the premises after concerns about the quality of care had been drawn to the inspectorate’s attention.

The inspectors found that none of the patients’ care files contained pain assessment charts, even for those with painful diagnoses such as osteoporosis, prompting the comment: “This evidence indicates to us that people living in the Madog cannot be confident of having their pain adequately assessed and reviewed.”

The fluid intake of residents was also criticised, with drinks left out of reach and help not being available for those who could not drink alone.

As a result some had dry mouths.

Another non-compliance with regulations referred to staffing levels, with no agency staff used and no contingency plans covering staff sickness or leave. Toileting and pressure area care needs were not addressed.

Two inspectors returned to the home in September to check whether remedial action had been taken, and in their latest report state that all the issues have now been dealt with.

As a result all seven non-compliance reports have been closed.

Read the full story in this week’s Arfon/Dwyfor edition of the Cambrian News