Care homes

We run care homes in Orkney, providing long-term residential care for older people with high-dependency needs. Each home aims to provide a warm, homely environment where residents' independence, dignity and quality of life are at the heart of everything we do.

All homes are registered with the Care Inspectorate, which inspects them regularly. You can find inspection reports on the Care Inspectorate website.

Our care homes

Kirkjuvagr House, Kirkwall 

Kirkjuvagr House is our newly opened care home in west Kirkwall, replacing the former St Rognvald's House. It has 40 bedrooms providing long-term care for older people with high-dependency needs, including accommodation for people with dementia and for those who are physically frail. The home also has short break beds for respite care.

Hamnavoe House, Stromness 

Hamnavoe House has 36 single bedrooms providing long-term care for people over 65 with high-dependency needs, including separate accommodation for people with dementia or physical frailty. Brinkie's Wing provides 10 short break beds for respite care.

Smiddybrae House, Dounby

Smiddybrae House was purpose-built in 2005 and has 28 single bedrooms and 2 double bedrooms across four wings - Brockan, Isbister, Bosquoy and Clumly - each with its own lounge, veranda and kitchen/dining area. The home provides care for people who are physically frail or have dementia.

What life is like in our care homes

Your room

All bedrooms are single en-suite rooms. You are encouraged to make your room your own by bringing in photos, pictures, ornaments and small items of furniture. Each room has a wardrobe, drawers, desk and chair, and a call bell system so you can get help whenever you need it. Bedroom doors are lockable to protect your privacy. Each room has TV and telephone points, and Wi-Fi is available.

Meals

Fresh, home-cooked meals are prepared daily by our catering teams. A choice of meals is provided at each mealtime and all dietary needs, preferences and cultural requirements are catered for. Refreshments and snacks are available at any time of day or night. Mealtimes are flexible to suit you - you choose when and where you eat.

Daily life

We aim to make life as flexible as possible. You choose when you get up, when you have a bath or shower, what you wear and when you go to bed. Staff are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will assist you with personal care if you need it. A laundry service is provided - please make sure your clothes are labelled.

Activities

Each home has a programme of activities including arts and crafts, music, outings, gardening, exercise sessions and social events. We work with you to find out what matters to you and support you to keep up your hobbies and stay connected with your community. Volunteers and local community groups also visit regularly.

Medical care

You keep your own GP where possible. Community nurses visit regularly and can be contacted at any time. The home arranges appointments with chiropodists, opticians and dentists, and provides transport to outpatient appointments. Trained staff manage medication, though residents who are able to self-medicate are supported to do so.

Visiting

All three homes operate an open visiting policy - family and friends are welcome at any time. We simply ask that visitors sign in and out for fire safety purposes.

Complaints and concerns

If you have any concerns about your care, speak to a member of staff or the duty manager at any time. You can also use the Council's formal complaints procedure or contact the Care Inspectorate directly.

How to get a place in a care home

Getting a place in one of our care homes starts with an assessment of your needs. This is called a Single Shared Assessment and is carried out by a care manager.

Your care manager will look at whether you can continue to live safely at home with support - including home care, respite breaks and help from family or carers. If these options are no longer enough to keep you safe and well, your care manager will talk to you about moving into a care home. They will explain the process clearly, discuss the financial implications with you and give you as much information as possible.

Your assessment then goes to our Allocation of Residential Care (ARC) group, which meets weekly. This group looks at the needs of everyone being considered for a care home place and considers whether all alternatives to residential care have been explored. Where the level of risk means someone cannot safely remain at home, ARC will put them on the waiting list or, if a place is available, offer them one straight away.

Places are allocated based on which home can best meet your individual needs. If the home offered is not your first choice, you can be placed on a transfer list for your preferred home as soon as a place becomes available there.

Once you are offered a place, a member of staff from the home will usually visit you at home or in hospital before you move in, to make sure everything is prepared and the move goes smoothly.

To arrange an assessment, contact:

Or contact your District Nurse, GP or Occupational Therapist, who can start the process on your behalf.