Scotland’s care regulator is to take legal action to remove a care home’s license to operate following the deaths of seven residents linked to covid-19.

A Care Inspectorate spokesperson said older people living at Home Farm nursing home in Portree could see changes to their care following an unannounced inspection that identified “serious and significant” concerns.

It was reported that 30 of the home's 34 residents and 29 staff have tested positive for the virus.

Local MSP Kate Forbes tweeted that NHS Highland is now “effectively running the home”.

Home Farm care home is operated by private provider HC-One, which is Britain’s largest care home operator with 329 homes.

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate, which has not yet published its inspection report, said: “We have submitted an application to the sheriff court seeking cancellation of the care home’s registration.

"This could mean new care arrangements will be put in place for residents at Home Farm care home.

“We are working closely with partners including NHS Highland to ensure that residents experience appropriate care during this difficult time.”

HC-One’s managing director for Scotland, John Kirk, said yesterday that the situation had “evolved rapidly over the last week”.

NHS Highland Chief Executive Paul Hawkins said in a statement:

“NHS Highland has responded to the request from the Care Inspectorate and from HC-One to provide support in improving and sustaining the appropriate quality of care for residents and the necessary assistance in this difficult situation.

“We will work closely with the Care Inspectorate and HC-One Senior Management.”

Responding to the move by the Care Inspectorate to cancel the care home’s registration, a spokesperson for HC-One told healthandcare.scot:

“We have accepted the shortcomings at Home Farm and apologise to our residents, their families, and the local community.

“We are fully committed to making significant improvements at the home and determined to put things right.

“We are disappointed that the Care Inspectorate is taking the steps that it is, but we will continue to work in partnership with NHS Highland at the home to implement a robust action plan, with an unwavering focus on delivering the best possible care for residents.”

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