"Very Good" for Culduthel Care Home in Inverness

When you’re choosing care, you want reassurance that everyday life will feel safe, warm and personal. That’s why we’re proud to share that Culduthel Care Home in Inverness has been evaluated as “Very Good” by Scotland’s Care Inspectorate - a rating that means major strengths in the areas they looked at.

What Inspectors Look For (in Everyday Terms)

The Care Inspectorate uses a national quality framework built around clear Key Questions (KQs). Here are the three the inspectors focused on - and what they mean in real life.

KQ 1.3 - People’s health and wellbeing benefit from their care and support - Grade 5

Think of this as the heart of care: Are people healthier, safer and happier because of the support they receive? Inspectors look for person-centred plans, thoughtful day-to-day support (from hydration and nutrition to pain relief and emotional wellbeing), and responsive actions when something changes. In short, it’s about turning individual needs into positive outcomes you can see and feel.

At Culduthel Care Home in Inverness:

• We create detailed, easy-to-follow care plans tailored to what matters most to each individual.
• Mealtimes are calm, unhurried and choice-led, with plenty of hydration prompts throughout the day.
• Daily “moments that matter” — conversations, music, gentle movement and time outdoors - are part of the plan, not an afterthought.

KQ 3.3 - Staffing arrangements are right, and staff work well together - Grade 5

This asks: Do we have the right people, with the right skills, at the right times - and do they function as a genuine team? Inspectors expect staffing levels and skill mix to be matched to residents’ needs, with time for meaningful interactions (not just tasks), and clear processes for flexing cover when needs change.

At Culduthel:

• We plan staffing from the resident’s perspective, looking at their needs, routines, and preferences, and adjust as things change.
• You’ll see a steady pace on the floor: colleagues present in shared spaces, chatting with residents, never rushed.
• Continuous learning and coaching keep skills fresh, while celebrating great work helps maintain high morale and low turnover.

KQ 4.1 - People benefit from high-quality facilities  - Grade 5

This is about the setting itself: Is the home welcoming, homely, clean, safe, and thoughtfully designed so people can find their way, socialise and relax? Inspectors look for good layout, well-maintained spaces and fittings, and design choices that support independence and dignity (for example, colour contrast and signage that help with orientation).

At Culduthel Care Home in Inverness:

• Our bedrooms are private, ensuite and designed for comfort; communal areas feel like living rooms, not waiting rooms.
• We draw on respected guidance for dementia-friendly environments (for example, design principles first popularised through the King’s Fund’s EHE work) to help people navigate and feel at home.

In short: these Key Questions check whether every part of daily life - care, people and place - is working together to produce great experiences and outcomes.

What “Very Good” Means for You

For residents

• Confidence and comfort: Health needs are identified early and addressed; routines feel familiar yet flexible.
• Joyful moments: There’s time for conversation, music, hobbies and fresh air - the small things that lift the day.
• Freedom with reassurance: Clear signage, good lighting and homely design help people move about more easily and safely.

For families

• Peace of mind: “Very Good” means the inspector identified major strengths in the areas reviewed - a robust external check on quality.
• Open communication: You’re kept in the loop, invited into decision-making and always welcome to share ideas.

For colleagues

• Time to care: Right staffing means there’s space for meaningful interactions, not just tasks.
• Growth and recognition: A learning culture, combined with everyday appreciation, keeps teams motivated - a sentiment that residents feel in the warmth of daily life.

For our community

• A welcoming place in the Highlands: As part of the Meallmore family, Culduthel offers 24-hour, personalised residential, nursing, and dementia care in the heart of Inverness, with a team focused on independence, dignity, and wellbeing.

More Movement, More Moments, More “Home”

“Very Good” isn’t a finish line; it’s a platform. Here’s how we’re building on it at Culduthel Care Home in Inverness, guided by our C.A.R.E. values:

1. Active living, your way (Care)
2. We’re weaving more gentle movement into everyday routines - stretching to favourite songs, pottering in the garden, short corridor walks with conversation, and seated exercise groups. These are small, achievable steps that boost mood, appetite and sleep.
3. Spaces that spark independence (Accountability)
4. Using dementia-friendly design principles - colour contrast, clear signage and familiar cues - we’ll keep refining layouts so it’s easier to find the lounge, the garden or the kettle. Little design tweaks can make a big difference to confidence.
5. Learning and recognition, every week (Recognition)
6. We’re investing in bite-sized learning, reflective practice and peer-to-peer coaching so great ideas spread quickly. And when colleagues create memorable moments - a sing-along, a thoughtful mealtime, a breakthrough with mobility - we celebrate it.
7. Family and Inverness community at the centre (Engagement)
8. From local choirs to school visits and hobby groups, we’ll keep inviting the Highlands in - because friendships and familiar faces make life richer.

These steps reflect our vision to be Scotland’s most trusted care provider - excellent care in great places to live and work - and they’re designed to translate directly into outcomes you’ll notice: more movement, more connection, more independence and more smiles.

Come and See

If you’re exploring options for a loved one, we’d love to welcome you to Culduthel Care Home in Inverness. Explore the homely spaces, meet the team, and experience the calm, friendly pace of the day. Ask us about the Care Inspectorate’s Key Questions - we’ll show you what “Very Good” looks like in practice, one conversation and one cup of tea at a time.