Parklands Care Homes acquires Huntly care home
PARKLANDS Care Homes has taken over the operation of Huntly Care Home which will be renamed ‘Deveron House’.
Parklands, which operates 11 care homes across Moray and the Highlands, will assume responsibility for the home from Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP).
The partnership has managed the care home since April 2023 after the previous owner withdrew its registration.
Ron Taylor, managing director of Parklands Care Homes, said: “Parklands has been caring for older people in the north-east for over 30 years and we are delighted to take on the stewardship of this important community asset.
“This is our first home in Aberdeenshire, but Huntly is very close to our Moray heartland, and we look forward to becoming an integral part of the local community.
“I want to pay tribute to the team at AHSCP. They have worked hard to elevate care standards and I am determined to continue that progress.”
Staff employed by the previous operator will automatically transfer to Parklands while short-term contract staff AHSCP have been offered the opportunity to apply to remain in their role in line with Care Inspectorate requirements.
They are also recruiting in the local area.
Mr Taylor has already held constructive talks with employees and relatives about the transfer.
Deveron House will be managed by Ruth Smith who has worked in Parklands for over ten years; most recently at Wakefield House in Cullen where she was instrumental in driving up care standards.
She said: “I am looking forward to working with the existing team at Deveron House and to welcoming new members to our team.
“We have a good foundation on which to build, thanks to the efforts of AHSCP.”
Parklands plans to revamp Deveron House by re-opening a 15-bed wing at the home and carrying out an extensive refurbishment to provide enhanced facilities for residents.
Some of these upgrades include a cinema, bar and upgrades to the courtyard garden.
AHSCP Partnership manager for South Aberdeenshire, Janine Howie said: “This is a positive step to secure the future of the home for residents and families and we look forward to working with Ruth and the wider Parklands Care Homes team.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank and pay tribute to all of the staff who work at the home or who have supported the home over the last year or so, for their dedication and compassionate care for the residents.”
