MSP Hails “Absolutely Critical” £11m Care Home Investment In Inverness

A Highlands and Islands MSP has welcomed Parklands Care Homes’ £11 million investment in a new care home in Inverness, calling it “absolutely critical” for the region’s future care provision and employment.

Edward Mountain MSP visited the Pittyvaich care home site last April, when the foundations were being laid. Returning nearly a year later, he praised the progress made, highlighting the urgent need for investment in care facilities.

He said: “When I came here in April, it was just a concrete plinth and now we’re seeing a care home nearly getting to the stage of completion. In fact, the rooms upstairs are almost there – you can see exactly what they’re going to look like and what a great facility it’s going to be.

“I think this investment is really important. It’s quite clear that as a state, we can’t afford to invest in these sorts of facilities and therefore getting companies investing into care homes such as this is absolutely critical, not only to make sure that we’ve got beds for our ageing population, but also to make sure that we’ve got employment for people in the local area. I’m told this could generate up to 120 jobs around Inverness, which is great news.”

The new 58-bed home will help address the growing shortage of care beds in the Highlands, where more than 200 have been lost over the past two years. Parklands is also planning to expand capacity in Tain, with a 12-bed extension at Innis Mhor care home, and in Grantown, where it plans to add 10 beds at Lynemore care home.

Parklands Care Homes’ Managing Director, Ron Taylor, said: “We’re making a significant investment in care across the Highlands to help meet the rising demand for high-quality residential care. Pittyvaich will provide modern, comfortable surroundings for residents and create much-needed jobs for the area. We’re delighted to see the project nearing completion.”

He added: “The Highlands has lost more than 200 care beds in the past two years, so this investment comes at a crucial time. We want to ensure older people can access the care they need, close to home, and our investment in Inverness and across the region will help meet that urgent need.”