A Forfar day care centre for the elderly has received a glowing report from the Care Inspectorate.
The Deirdre Knight Centre in Lour Road is a 26 place purpose-built facility.
Originally known as the Forfar Day Care Centre, it is run by a voluntary management committee.
It received an unannounced inspection on May 18 with the subsequent report grading the quality of care and support, environment, staffing and management and leadership as all “very good.”
Eight service users and two relatives of service users were spoken with during the inspection and 12 service user questionnaires were returned.
The views expressed by service users and their relatives and carers were very positive with one relative stating: “They treat my wife with dignity and respect and she is more communicative as a result of going there.”
The report found the management team identified strengths and areas they wanted to develop.
The care and support provided was of a very good standard but they recommended a review of support planning using an outcome focussed approach.
The service had a very good environment and was suited to the physical and social needs of attendees.
There had been training in dementia and epilepsy and one staff member was undertaking training in mental health.
The service was not afraid to communicate with other health professionals such as district nurses or care managers when they had any concerns about service users.
Everything from staffing to quality of care was well-governed and staff were well-trained and supported.
The service had widened its admission criteria to include people with a learning disability but the report recommended staff extend their knowledge of how to support these clients.
Welcoming the report Bill McLeod, chairman of the management committee said: “I thought it was an excellent report, well deserved.
“We provide a good quality of care at the centre.”
Kathleen Fotheringham, centre manager, added: “We have made our service more diverse rather than sticking to one group and have a good mix of clients.
“We have opened up the service and offer private places.”
She praised all the staff who had worked hard and who had supported each other.
She continued: “We have a brilliant team. We are a small team but it works well.
“Nobody is precious, we get stuck in, roll our sleeves up and support each other.”
