Rathside Rest Home

Date of assessment: 12 and 17 February 2026.This assessment was carried out due to the length of time since the service was assessed.Rathside Rest Home is a residential care home providing care and support for older people, including people living with dementia.People benefitted from a stable and well‑trained staff team who responded promptly to changing needs. Staff felt supported through mentoring, supervision and training, and described strong teamwork and a culture focused on kindness and doing the right thing. Leadership was visible, approachable and valued by staff people and their relatives, who felt listened to and included in decisions.Safety was generally well managed. Safeguarding processes were followed, risk assessments were detailed, and communication with health professionals was effective. However, some areas of the environment required improvement, for example securing wardrobes to walls. While refurbishment was underway at the home, these issues meant the environment did not consistently meet a good standard.Infection prevention and control practices were strong, and healthcare professionals described the home as “very clean… very responsive.” Medicines were administered safely, supported by regular staff competency assessments and partnership working with external professionals. Some actions, including the recording of medicines administered on an ‘as required’ basis to meet people’s immediate needs, required more consistent follow‑through.Governance systems were in place, but oversight was not always fully effective. Completion of audit actions were not effectively evidenced. Leaders acknowledged these issues and planned to further strengthen their assurance systems.Partnership working with health and community professionals was constructive and responsive. People were supported to stay connected with family and the wider community. Staff told us they were supported through shadowing, mentoring and ongoing training and said there were enough colleagues available to meet people’s needs.People experienced compassionate, individualised care that promoted independence, choice and control. Staff ensured information was accessible, listened to people and their relatives, and involved them in care planning and future decisions, including end‑of‑life care.