Harris House Care Home

Harris House Care Home
Leverhulme Road
Tarbert
Isle of Harris
HS3 3DD

Tel.:  01859 502194

Harris House is a Care Home for older people.  Its purpose is:

"To provide a high standard of personal and social care so that each person is enabled to live as fulfilling and independent a life as possible"  

Harris House offers a high level of specialist care, provided by trained staff, to enable residents to take as much charge of their lives as is possible while providing the warmth and comfort of a safe and caring environment.

Harris House has an open outlook, with easy access to the village of Tarbert.  Although comfort within the home is of primary importance, we also believe the provision of garden areas are important.  Comfortable seating areas are provided in the garden area, and also on the Balcony which overlooks East Loch Tarbert, where you can watch the ferry come and go.  It is surrounded by attractive gardens which have some sensory planting, herbs and flowers where residents can take part in planting and caring for the garden.

We recommend contacting Harris House direct to arrange a visit.  This will enable you to ask further questions and to get a feel for the Care Home. 

Accommodation

There is one large sitting room and dining area which is the central hub of the home.  There are also two quiet rooms, a snug, smoking area as well as seating in areas with views out to the gardens and also comfortable sofas in our reception area. There is another large sitting room which is a multi-purpose room.  It is used for film afternoon/evenings; used by local ladies for a knitting club on a Friday night; for baking activities; for family get-togethers where residents and their family can have a meal, celebrations etc.

Harris House has 16 single bedrooms.  Each resident has a large bedroom with en-suite shower room.  Each room has a fridge and a TV.  There is an IT connection in each bedroom.  Residents may have a telephone in their room, installed at their own expense.  There is a loop system for those who may be hard of hearing.

There is a sitting room with en-suite shower room which may be used by close relatives to stay if a resident is seriously ill. 

Staff at Harris House encourage residents to be as physically active and mentally stimulated as possible. 

A well-established programme of activities is planned each week and the minibus is used for outings in good weather. 

Residents are encouraged to continue with hobbies and interests after moving in to the home and will be supported by staff to access those.  Some residents make use of the local swimming pool and gym. 

Other activities include: painting/colouring in; board games; carpet bowls; reminiscing activites; crafts, armchair exercises; sing-a-long, knitting & crochet; bingo; going out for a walk or in wheelchair;  gardening; watching the birds on the bird table, flower arranging etc

Religious services are held regularly by various Churches.  Residents are supported to attend Church when able. 

If you move into Harris House you may choose to remain there for the rest of your life.  If so, every effort will be made to care for your changing needs.   Any further move would only be in the unlikely event that your medical and nursing needs were so high that you would be at risk without 24-hour medical or nursing care.

We are fully committed to providing palliative care, in partnership with all relevant healthcare professionals, in a way that emphasises dignity, respect for individual autonomy and good communication.  We will focus on your quality of life, on good symptom control and on providing good support for you and those closest to you.

Rights and Responsibilities

Harris House will provide a relaxed and homely atmosphere where each person is respected and their dignity and privacy is of the utmost importance.

Residents are expected to be respectful of the needs and wishes of others in the home.

You are welcome to smoke or have a drink of alcohol while you are in Harris House.  If you wish to smoke you will be expected to go to the designated smoking room.

As far as possible residents will have the right to choose what they wish to do.  However there may be times when it is necessary to restrict this right, either because the person is unaware that their actions are putting them at risk or because their behaviour is placing others at risk.

A person's rights will only be restricted if it is clear that the danger to themselves or others outweighs the effect of them losing their freedom.  The Home has a Policy on Risk Taking and the Restriction of Rights, Residents and the relatives are encouraged to read and discuss these issues.

Insurance

The Council insures its premises.

The Council provides insurance cover for up to £1,000 worth of personal effects for each service user.

Unhappy with our Service? Please Complain!

• We want you to be satisfied with the service provided by Harris House.

• If there is anything you are unsatisfied about please speak to your keyworker, a member of staff or the management of the Home.

• If a complaint cannot be resolved within the home, or if you do not wish it to be dealt with by the management of the home, it will be independently investigated by the Head of Service.

• The Community Services Department has a written Complaints Procedure, a copy of which is included in this folder for your use.

• The Home is regularly inspected by the Care Inspectorate. You are welcome to raise any concerns with the Care Inspectorate.  The address and telephone number of the local office is: Care Inspectorate , 9 James Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2QN.   Tel: 01851 706157.

Copies of Care Inspectorate Inspection Reports, Fire Inspection Reports and Food Hygiene Reports are available in the office for anyone who wishes to read them.

Independent Representation

You are welcome to discuss any issues or concerns with someone who is independent of the Home.  Your social worker is a useful contact or Advocacy Western Isles, which is based at 27 Bayhead, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis and can be contacted on 01851 701755.  Your keyworker or the Manager/Senior will be happy to make arrangements for you to meet with the person of your choice in privacy.