Critic of Scottish care funding wins top award and dedicates it to care staff
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The managing director of a care home company with premises across the north has won a top award at this year's Scottish Care awards.
Ron Taylor of Parklands Care Homes received the Strategic Contribution Award in recognition of his contribution to social care over 30 years.
Mr Taylor has been a vocal critic of the Scottish Government over its failure to adequately fund social care in Scotland, and delivered a £12ph rate for frontline carers at Parklands in April this year, a full year before it is due to be introduced across Scotland.
Under his leadership, Parklands has grown from a single care home in Buckie in 1993 to a group of 11 care homes employing more than 750 people and providing care for 400 older people across the Highlands and Moray.
Parklands is creating a care hub in Inverness and run a home in Fortrose.
Accepting the award at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel in front of more than 550 representatives from the social care sector in Scotland, Mr Taylor paid tribute to Parklands’ staff and to social care workers across the country.
He said: “Day in, day out they provide the high-quality care that our older residents deserve, often in difficult and stressful circumstances.
"They don’t always get the recognition they deserve and I want to dedicate this award to each and every one of them. We are very lucky to have so many dedicated, hardworking men and women working in social care.”
Donald Macaskill, chief executive of Scottish Care, said: “The care home workforce is full of individuals who behave with dignity, compassion, professionalism, and skill. Scottish Care host the awards to express our gratitude and to recognise the particular skills of a few.
“We are immensely proud to present Ron Taylor with our Strategic Contribution Award.
"Ron's 30-year dedication to social care and Parklands' growth into 11 facilities is commendable. His advocacy for fair wages and Parklands' innovative initiatives reflects his commitment. A truly well-deserved win in our eyes.”
