COUNCILLORS have approved the payment of more than £500,000 to a crisis hit care home.

At a meeting of the tendering committee last week, members passed a raft of new social care contracts for facilities across the area.

One of which was Castle View care home in Dumbarton.

The home has been under serious scrutiny in recent months, including a joint investigation between the Care Inspectorate and the council’s Health and Social Care Partnership.

The contracts passed by the committee include seven individual placements for vulnerable people from across West Dunbartonshire, one for someone suffering from mental health issues, and the other six for people with a physical disability.

The two-year contract will cost £285,845 each year - totalling £571,690.

A number of relatives of residents have also complained to local media about their treatment.

As a result of the criticism, owner’s HC One imposed a moratorium on new residents at the home, which was then lifted in June.

The Reporter detailed how the moratorium had been re-imposed earlier in the summer, but it remains unclear if the ban is still in place.

HC One also confirmed earlier this month an internal investigation had led to the suspension of a member of staff.

The council contract is due to come into effect on September 7.

A spokesperson for HC-One said: “We can confirm that one member of staff remains under investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further on their specific case.

“We are proud to provide a care service that is highly regarded by our residents and their loved ones. We are confident our forthcoming Care Inspectorate report will further demonstrate this.”

A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We continue to work closely with Castle View and the Care Inspectorate to ensure care meets the needs of individual residents.”