Urray House, part of the award winning Parklands group, has been rated Very Good in all categories by the Care Inspectorate.

The Ross-shire care home rating received the Inspectorate’s second highest 5 rating following an inspection in August and September.

The report found residents “experienced care and support with compassion because there were warm and encouraging relationships between staff and people living there”. It added: “People experienced support which promoted their independence, dignity, privacy and choice.”

Inspectors found “there was a sense of community in the care home” with a varied choice of activities on offer – from trips into the local community to Pride events. It was also noted that residents were able to contribute to decision making within the home and that family members also felt involved in their loved one’s care and support.

The home also enjoyed strong links with the community, with local groups welcomed into the care home with “warmth”, the report said.

Praising the staff team, the regulator said: “The right number of staff with the right skills were working at all times. Staff had time to provide care, support with compassion and engage in meaningful conversations and interactions with people. Staff were motivated and were offering good care, because they were working well together.” Manager Joe Greiner, who relocated to the Highlands in January to take up his post at Urray House, having managed a care home in Norfolk for 18 years, said: “I am delighted that the team at Urray House has been recognised for their hard work, compassion and professionalism. I’m proud to lead a team of dedicated care professionals. Their passion, commitment and sense of adventure is inspiring and that is very much reflected in the Care Inspectorate’s latest report.

“We have worked hard to create a warm, welcoming and inclusive care setting where residents are at the heart of the decision-making process and family members and visitors from the local community feel at home here. We want Urray House to be an integral part of the local community and I think that we are making great progress.”

Elaine Taylor, operations director at Parklands Care Homes, added: “This report is testament to the Urray House team’s absolute focus on continual improvement and delivering the highest standards of person-centred care. They should be really proud of what they have achieved, we certainly are!”