Top grades in report for Wick daycare centre
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A WICK daycare centre has received top grades and has been hailed as a leader in its sector in a inspection report.
Margaret Allan, manager of Laurandy Centre, said yesterday it was a team effort.
"We were very pleased to get top grades. We are thrilled with that," she said. "It takes a lot of hard work to reach that level.
"I certainly feel that the staff have pulled the stops out working to a very high standard.
"I think the whole thing of the inspections is that you have to be operating to that level all the time. You need to be continually striving to make improvements to make things better, and that's what is recognised."
We are thrilled... I certainly feel that the staff have pulled the stops out working to a very high standard.
As a result of the two-day unannounced inspection carried out by the Care Inspectorate, the centre was given a grading of "excellent" for both the quality of care and support on offer and the quality of management and leadership.
The report stated: "The excellent grade describes performance which is sector-leading and supports experiences and outcomes for people which are of outstandingly high quality.
"We came to this conclusion as we noted the service's sustained track record of innovation, effective practice and the high quality of its activities from which other care providers could learn."
The manager and staff were also praised by the inspectors who said: "The service was managed by a highly respected manager with a proven track record of vision and innovation.
"We found a highly motivated and compassionate staff group who took pride in their work and who were committed to ensuring that those who experienced care got the most out of life."
During the inspection care standard questionnaires were handed out and among the 11 responses, was the following feedback:
- "The quality of service at Laurandy is first class. Wick is very lucky to have such a place."
- "The staff are wonderful. They treat us like kings and queens, with great respect. The staff give a wonderful service. Crème de la crème."
Last year the Laurandy Centre was recognised as one of the leading home care services in Scotland when it won the Day Service of the Year category at the Scottish Care Awards.
The centre, based in the town's airport industrial estate, has been in operation for 23 years and although staff are funded by the NHS, Mrs Allan said they were "extremely grateful" to the donations and fund raising carried out by the community which goes towards improvements and maintenance.
Volunteers also help with the day-to-day running of the centre, and staff are always ready to encourage new recruits.
To mark this latest achievement a celebration will be held at Laurandy next Thursday. Service users and their families have been invited along to the coffee and cake afternoon which is set to start at 2.30pm.
