Moray home awarded very good rating

“I could not wish for better care”: Moray home awarded very good rating

A Moray care home where staff provide “warm and compassionate care” has been rated very good by the Care Inspectorate following an unannounced inspection.

Speyside Care Home in Aberlour, part of the Parklands Care Homes group, was awarded a grade 5 (very good) rating for supporting residents’ wellbeing, its staff team and the quality of its setting.

During the two-day inspection, officials interviewed dozens of residents, relatives and members of staff. People spoke highly of the support they received at Speyside. One resident told inspectors, “I could not wish for better care.”

Inspectors highlighted a vibrant activities programme, strong community links, and a homely, well-maintained environment that promotes independence and wellbeing. Initiatives like the home’s choir and intergenerational work with local schools ensured that residents “felt good about themselves and had increased confidence,” the report noted.

Staff were recognised for their dedication, knowledge and teamwork. The report found there “was a culture of continuing improvement focused on making people’s lives and experiences better.” Staff were visible, knew the residents well and had a good understanding of residents’ needs. One long-serving staff member noted: “This is the best management team we have ever had.”

The home itself was described as welcoming, well-maintained and decorated to a good standard, with easily accessible communal areas and personalised bedrooms that respect residents’ dignity and independence.

Speyside manager Louise Gillies said: “I’m incredibly proud of the team at Speyside. This report reflects the dedication, warmth and professionalism they bring to work every day. We aim to make life as happy, active and fulfilling as possible for our residents, and I’m delighted that this has been recognised by the Care Inspectorate.”

Ron Taylor, managing director of Parklands said: “This report is a real credit to Louise and her team. Their commitment to creating a caring, supportive and homely environment shines through in this report. I want to thank them for the outstanding work they do every day.”

The report identified one area for improvement around consistent documentation and evaluation of stress and distress incidents. The management team has already taken action to address this.

Speyside Care Home is registered to provide care for up to 42 older people.

The Care Inspectorate evaluates care services using a six-point scale, ranging from 1 (unsatisfactory) to 6 (excellent