A STAFF member at a crisis-hit care home has been suspended and another is under investigation into their conduct.

Castle View Care Home has been mired in controversy this year, forcing West Dunbartonshire health and social care partnership and the Care Inspectorate to launch a major probe into conditions.

During the process, a voluntary moratorium was placed on receiving new residents at the home by owners HC One, which was taken off in June, but has since been re-administered.

It is not clear why the moratorium has been re-imposed.

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As part of an internal investigation, a member of staff was "immediately suspended" and another is currently the subject of an internal probe, based on their conduct while employed at the home.

A spokeswoman for HC One told the Reporter: “Providing high quality, kind care is of the utmost importance to us, and our staff work hard to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our Residents.

“We were therefore disappointed by West Dunbartonshire Health & Social Care Partnership’s findings, and we took steps quickly to reassure them of our actions to deliver the high standards expected of us and which we aspire to.

“We immediately suspended one staff member once concerns were raised about their conduct and another is under investigation. We have also decided to put the home under a voluntary embargo until we have the opportunity to work with the Council to reassure them about our quality assurance processes.

“Our experienced regional team will work closely with the home to oversee this plan, and one Colleague from the regional team will take on the post of Home Manager until a permanent replacement can be found.”

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Beth Culshaw, the chief officer of West Dunbartonshire health and social care partnership said told a meeting of the board the Care Inspectorate had spent 80 hours in the home as part of its investigation, which led to the moratorium being lifted.

Ms Culshaw described the move to re-impose the moratorium as "disappointing", but insisted "we will continue to work with them until we have been reassured of the level of care in the home".

A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council said: "West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership has been working closely with the management and owners of Castleview Care Home, and the Care Inspectorate to implement improvements to ensure the best possible care for residents, and provide support to families and staff.

"The owners recently notified us of their intention to impose a voluntary moratorium on new admissions and we will continue to work in partnership with all parties to ensure all improvement are actioned swiftly.”

A spokeswoman for the Care Inspectorate said: “We have been notified by the care provider of their voluntary moratorium on new residents.

"We continue to monitor the care experienced by residents at this care home. We are liaising with the care provider and our partners in the local health and social care partnership.

“Everyone in Scotland has the right to good quality, safe and compassionate care which meets their needs and respects their rights.

"Anyone with a concern about care can contact us on 0345 600 9527."

In May, family members told the Reporter of the "dreadful" treatment their brother sustained at the home, which ended with his being rushed to hospital with sepsis.

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Maisie Caldwell and Christine Livingstone hit out at the standards in the home, after their brother Hugh Caldwell was admitted in November for respite care.