Glenisla’s ‘angels’ recognised in new care inspection report

Glenisla Care Home has received a ‘Very Good’ rating from the Care Inspectorate, with inspectors highlighting the compassion, dedication, and professionalism of its care staff — described by one relative as "angels."

Following an unannounced inspection, Glenisla in Keith — part of the Parklands Care Homes group — was awarded a grade 5 (very good) rating for supporting residents’ wellbeing, staff quality, and the quality of its setting.

The inspection found that Glenisla, which can accommodate up to 42 residents, delivers care that is ‘dignified and respectful,’ with the whole team ‘focused on ensuring people got the most out of life.’

During the two-day inspection, the Care Inspectorate spoke to residents, their loved ones, employees and management, and visiting professionals. One relative said: “Staff are very friendly and welcoming - nothing seems to be much bother. The staff make Glenisla a fun and loving place for all.”

The report found that staff engaged and supported residents ‘with kindness and compassion.’ Staff reported feeling part of a ‘happy team.’ Low turnover also meant that residents were supported by ‘a stable staff team that knew them well.’ As a result, relatives expressed ‘very high levels of satisfaction and confidence’ in the standard of care. One relative described care staff as "angels."

There was also a robust induction process for new staff, with more experienced colleagues providing support through a mentoring initiative. The report also highlighted a ‘strong culture of continuous improvement’ and an improvement plan based on self-evaluation and resident feedback.

Residents were even involved in interviewing new staff. ‘Their opinion and expertise were valued and respected,’ the report stated.

Staff supported residents to do as much as they could for themselves, promoting independence and dignity. The inspection noted ‘excellent’ levels of engagement with local community groups and intergenerational links with local schools. One health professional said: “It is lovely how the care home is integrated with the community.”

The report also highlighted a programme of upgrading and redecoration at Glenisla which was of a ‘good standard.’ More generally, it found that Glenisla was ‘friendly, welcoming, clean and tidy.’

The dining experience was described as ‘relaxed and sociable’ with residents expressing ‘high levels of satisfaction with meals.’ One relative said, “My relative is always raving about all the food.”

Ron Taylor, Managing Director of Parklands, said: “We are proud that Glenisla has achieved ‘Very Good’ ratings across the board, reflecting the hard work, dedication, and compassion of our manager Brenda Harper and her team. The inspection highlights the strong connections we have built within the local community, as well as the focus we place on providing person-centred care that allows residents to live life to the full.

“We foster a culture of continuous improvement at Glenisla, always striving to raise standards even further. We will continue to build on this success and look for new ways to enhance the experience of those in our care.”

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