A support complex for people with mental health problems has been rated “excellent” across the board in a report by a health watchdog.
Papermill Gardens Supported Living Service in Tillydrone received top marks for the fourth visit in a row from the Care Inspectorate.
The service, which promotes independent living for people experiencing mental health difficulties, received praise for staff and the quality of care provided following the unannounced visit.
The report stated: “The service provides support to service users with an emphasis on using recovery based methods of support. While service users are supported they are also encouraged to take responsibility for their own support and direct how they would wish this to be provided.
“This service continues to operate to a high standard. The manager is committed to continue to look at best practice in the field of mental health and to assess what can be used within Papermill Gardens.
“At the time of the inspection the service had been required to support a service user with frail health. The service had responded professionally and in a supportive manner to ensure this service user was comfortable and had clearly reduced this service user’s anxiety. The service is to be commended on how they handled this situation.”
Inspectors usually make recommendations following visits, but did not on this occasion.
The complex is made up of 11 flats for individual tenants. It is run by mental health charity Penumbra, which provides all-hours recovery focused support to people in their homes including practical support around maintaining a home, social support to encourage people to access local resources and emotional support. The flats are provided through Langstane Housing Association.
Kenny Thom, service manager for Penumbra, praised staff for their efforts.
He said: “This fantastic report is testament to the effort and dedication shown by all the staff at the service. They work really hard to build good working partnerships with the people we support and to help them achieve recovery. A massive well done to everyone involved.”