The operator of a new £8million care home in Inverness has been revealed as a firm which was recently criticised for standards at another home.
The Holmes Care Group yesterday insisted that care at the 90-bed home at Caulfield Road North, Cradlehall, would be of the “highest standard”.
The group’s Grandholm Care Home in Aberdeen, was graded “weak” by the Care Inspectorate after residents and relatives were found to have concerns.
Following an unannounced visit in January, inspectors said “care planning, nutrition and fluid monitoring, wound care and staff deployment” must improve.
A spokeswoman for the Holmes Care Group said: “Despite a recent decline in the grades awarded to our home in Aberdeen we can assure you that we are taking the situation very seriously.”
She said a series of improvements had already been made, a new manager had been appointed and the group was working with the inspectorate to bring the home back up to standard.
She added: “The Holmes Care Group’s philosophy is centred on delivering a high standard of care in an environment where all residents can regard our home as their home. We were therefore delighted when the opportunity came up for us to build a purpose- built, state-of-the-art residential and nursing home in Inverness.
“We are totally committed to this project, having invested in the land and planning for this site with an expected investment in excess of £8million at completion which we believe to be a significant contribution to the area.”
Building could start in July or August and the home could be open by next autumn.
Bolton-based Seddon Construction has held planning permission for the site since 2008 but chief operating officer Peter Jackson said the firm now plans to start building in July or August and is looking for local contractors and suppliers to get involved.
Highland Senior Citizens Network vice-chairwoman Joan Philip said: “What we are really interested in is the quality of the care and the standards of care. To that purpose we work quite closely with the Care Inspectorate and we’ve got a meeting with them in June. We will be monitoring this with interest.”