Residents praise ‘superb’ Wick care home

A WICK care home has been praised for its “caring and professional approach” to the people who use the service.

An inspection – carried out by Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (formerly the Care Commission) – gave a very favourable report to the Riverside House Care Home which is owned by local businessman Robert More.

The inspection, which was undertaken in July, found the manager and staff continue to offer “a caring and professional approach to service users and build very good relationships with service users and their families/carers”.

However, the inspectors felt the home should survey the views of service users, families and carers about ways in which the quality of care and support could be further improved.

The report stated: “The service has worked well at further developing its care and support practices for service users at Riverside House.

“The manager and lead nurse are focused on the individual needs of service users.

“The service has developed personal plans to a very good standard.

“The service has developed a very good programme of activities and outings within the community to ensure service users felt engaged and included in local events.

“Members of staff have a strong ethos of respect towards service users and their families and carers.”

The report pleased Riverside manager Donna Grant who described it as “very positive”.

“A lot of hard work has been undertaken in the past year and that is reflected in the report. We are working on the recommendations made and are keen to improve the service even further,” said Miss Grant.

“We are very happy with the report and are pleased that we have been upgraded in a few sections which all helps to make the care better here. We welcome the inspections as you always have to improve and they are there to help us achieve that.”

Riverside House Care Home is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of 44 older people – 14 of whom are older people who suffer from dementia.

The maximum number of service users may also include up to five who suffer from physical or sensory impairment.

The home is located in a four-storey former hotel building in the centre of Wick.

The officers who compiled the report met with numerous service users over the two days of the inspection visits.

Residents were relaxed and happy to talk to the inspectors and the overall impression was that residents felt “happy” in Riverside House.

“I am very happy in my home, it’s very comfortable, clean and a happy environment,” said one person.

Another stated: “I am able to go out whenever I want and being so near the main street is very handy for me. When I am feeling low the staff are always there to support me and cheer me up.”

One of the other comments was: “The staff all provide a superb service to all their residents.

“The residents are given individual care specific to their needs.

“I have observed the staff treating all residents with respect and dignity.”

Another commented: “The carers and nurses are friendly and I feel I can speak to them about any of my concerns (which have been few).

“They all seem to get on well together and work as a team and the atmosphere is good.”