A GIRVAN residential unit has been given a glowing report from the Care Inspectorate after a recent visit.

Hillcrest Residential Unit is registered as a care home to provide residential care for up to 15 older people, of which three can be for respite care. At the time of the inspection, 12 people were residing in Hillcrest.

The unit aims to provide high quality personalised care and support, which fully meets each individuals needs in a homely environment.

An unannounced watchdog visit on June 7 and 8 yielded a positive outcome for the unit, with top marks across the board.

Each inspected area returned a ‘5 - very good’ rating, the second highest possible under the watchdog’s six-point grading scale.

The report stated: “We found significant strengths in aspects of the care provided and how these supported positive outcomes for people, therefore we evaluated this key question as very good.

“Staff had created a homely environment where people experienced warmth, kindness and compassion in how they were supported and cared for. Staff knew residents very well, and had a good understanding of their needs, wishes and aspirations.”

A family member told the inspectors “the staff have been amazing from the outset, we would have liked to move our loved one closer to home, but wouldn’t move him from Hillcrest, as it feels just like a family.”

The report continued: “The service has made improvements in relation to medication support being more person centred. Medication is now provided in residents rooms, at the start and end of the day, rather than in communal areas.

“There is a clear and effective system in place supporting the management of medication. We found some gaps in the recording of medication. The service should ensure the internal auditing system identifies these and has measures in place to be sure medication recording is effective.

“The success of service development using these approaches resulted in the very good outcomes people living in the home experienced.”

There have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection of Hillcrest Residential Unit.

Details of any older upheld complaints are published at careinspectorate.com.