8 February 2023
A Buckie councillor has praised staff at a local care home after they received the highest possible score from the care regulator for supporting residents to get the best out of life.
Independent councillor Neil McLennan paid a visit to staff and residents at Parklands and Burnbank which was recently assessed by the independent Care Inspectorate.
Inspectors assessed the home against seven criteria. The home scored the highest possible score – 6 (excellent) – for the way it enabled residents to get the most out of life. In every other category, including support for wellbeing and leadership, inspectors awarded Parklands and Burnbank a 5-star (very good) rating.
Councillor McLennan said: “Entering politics I always thought my role was to protect the vulnerable and give a voice to those who have no voice. Our young people, elderly and at risk need politicians who back and support them. Here in Buckie we have a group of staff who are going above and beyond. Getting ‘very good’ in external inspections is a positive, however gaining a 6 star ‘excellent’ is truly sector leading. Thank you to all staff and the management team who do so much to help our elderly get the best out of life. Long may it continue.”
Denise Risk, manager of Parklands and Burnbank said: “It was great to welcome Councillor McLennan to Parklands and Burnbank. It is an absolute privilege to work with such an outstanding team, some of whom have been with us for almost 30 years. Their dedication to their residents inspires me every day. I’d like to thank Councillor McLennan for taking the time to recognise their achievement and to meet our residents. They thoroughly enjoyed talking to him.”
As well as meeting staff, Councillor McLennan, a former history teacher and author of many history books, spent time chatting about history and fishing heritage with many of the residents.