THE “chaotic” home care service offered in East Renfrewshire left one patient praying for more funding to deal with staff shortages.

A damning Care Inspectorate report rated the care at home service provided by East Renfrewshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership as “unsatisfactory” and “weak.”

Now health chiefs say a “robust” plan is in place to deliver improvements.

Kate Rocks, chief social work officer, told councillors the service was “delivering poorer outcomes than we would wish at this time.”

She added: “We do hope we will see improvements over the forthcoming year.”

The care at home service provides support to hundreds of people of all ages, with varying needs.

These include some with a physical or learning disability, people with long-term health conditions, and those living with dementia.

More than 100 questionnaires were completed by service users and their family members.

One response stated:“Because of shortage of staff, I’m often attended by a stranger, who introduces themselves, but I find it upsetting when I have to tell them what I need.

“I have no idea what can be done, apart from praying for more funding.”

The report was released following an unannounced inspection earlier this year, with the service graded as “unsatisfactory” for both care and support and management and leadership.

It was also rated as “weak” when it comes to staffing.

“Individuals spoke very highly of the support workers and their care and compassion,” said the report. “However, the service is delivering poor outcomes to service users due to lack of consistency/continuity of care, lack of communication with organisers/management and poor medication practices.”

The service has been given nine requirements and one recommendation to meet.

The improvement plan includes new processes for care, updated training on medication management and training on complaints handling.

It will also involve changes to scheduling home care, addressing recruitment and retention of staff and improving staff supervision.