11 January 2012

Award winning care provider promises “highest standards of care”
An award winning Buckie based residential care home provider has been named as the preferred bidder by The Highland Council for a multi million pound project to build and operate two new state of the art care homes in the north.

Parklands Highland, a subsidiary of Parklands Ltd – which owns residential care homes in Moray and Highland and has almost 20 years experience in the sector – plans to invest £5 million replacing the ageing facilities at Urray House in Muir of Ord and Duthac House in Tain with two new purpose built homes.

Residents and staff will move into the new homes in autumn 2013. In the meantime, the operation of both existing homes will transfer to Parklands Highlands later this summer. Staff currently employed by The Highland Council will transfer to Parklands Highland on their current terms and conditions, including pension provision.

The family run company currently owns six care homes in Moray and Highland, providing 170 placements and employing 275 staff. All of Parklands homes have attained grade 5 status (very good) for the quality of care and support.

Managing Director Ron Taylor said the company was committed to the highest standards of care and would ensure the new care homes achieved the same quality standards as its existing homes.

He said Parklands Highland would be consulting with staff, residents and the local community on its plans.

Each new care home will provide 34 en-suite bedrooms, with scope to increase to 40 bedrooms in the future. Room sizes will be 40% larger than the minimum standards, and bedrooms will feature flat screen TVs, internet connections and provision for direct dialing into residents’ rooms.

Staff, residents and their relatives would be encouraged to contribute to the smooth running of both homes through regular focus groups and evening and weekend surgeries.

The new care homes will be built by the infrastructure, support services and construction group Robertson, which has committed to employ apprentices in the building phase and engage local suppliers.

As part of the agreement, Parklands Highland will contribute £10,000 to develop a community garden at Muir of Ord. A minibus will be provided at each care home, for use by local community groups, and close links will be established with local primary schools.

Ron Taylor said: “We are delighted to have secured this important vote of confidence from The Highland Council for our plans to replace the ageing facilities at Duthac House and Urray House with two new purpose built, state of the art care homes.

“Parklands has almost 20 years experience providing quality nursing and residential care for elderly people in Moray and Highland, and we are committed...