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‘Warmth, kindness and compassion’: Inspectors give glowing review of Peterhead care home

Allandale House has been given top marks by inspectors - but its manager wants to go even further.

Ellie Gillanders (carer), Meg Stuart (service user), Sarah Wright (Home manager ), Fiona Findlay (deputy manager),Tam Mitchell (service user), Kelly O?Brien (carer) from Allandale House, Peterhead.
The staff at Allandale House have been praised for their "meaningful" relationships with residents. Image: Allandale House

A Peterhead care home has been given top marks by inspectors – and its manager says it’s crucial they never become complacent.

The Care Inspectorate has given Allandale House its highest ratings, specifically noting the “warmth, kindness and compassion” shown by staff.

It cares for 32 people living with mental health issues, and faced an unannounced inspection over two days last year.

Officials awarded Allandale its highest grade for the quality of its leadership. And it was given a “very good” – just one rank lower – for how it supports people’s wellbeing.

Residents, families, staff and visiting professionals were full of praise for the facility too, with “extremely high” satisfaction rates.

Inspectors visited Allandale House for two days before writing their report. Image: Google Street View
Inspectors visited Allandale House for two days before writing their report. Image: Google Street View

The Care Inspectorate’s report said staff knew the residents well with “meaningful” personal relationships.

This extended to the care they offered during the height of the Covid pandemic and beyond, in terms of keeping spirits high.

Making Allandale House ‘feel like home’

Staff arranged a visit from Peterhead Football Club for the residents missing their matches, while some of their arts and crafts were displayed in a pop-up shop.

Additionally, they organise regular trips to the likes of local shops and restaurants, or places of interest where they can watch the fishing boats.

Allandale House staff - Lorraine Glennie (senior carer), Ellie Gillanders (carer), Michelle Beveridge (senior carer), Rachael Donoghue (carer), Chloe Gilmour (senior carer), Fiona Findlay (deputy manager), Olusola Adediran (carer), Sarah Wright (Home manager), Kelly O’Brien (carer) Trisha Armstrong(Carer), Tracy Beacom (domestic assistant), Rosalind Stephen (carer), Marc Stephen (cook)
Care home manager Sarah Wright (third from right, wearing lilac) has high praise for her staff. Image: Allandale House

The home’s been managed by Sarah Wright for 17 years – and she says there’s one key factor always at the front of her mind.

“Fundamentally, the staff actually believe that Allandale House is the service users’ home,” she said.

“We’ve got an ability not to stagnate – we’re always looking for ideas to improve people’s lives.

“Every day you have to come in and ask ‘What are we doing, why are we doing it, can we do something different?’

“You’re always looking at the service and how you can make a care home feel like home for the people living in it.”

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