Care at home firm awarded world’s most recognised quality management standard

HRM Homecare Services, which provides care at home support across East Renfrewshire, has achieved the world’s most recognised quality management standard, ISO 9001: 2015, in a huge boost to its credentials.

Staff at the West of Scotland-based firm achieved the certification after being independently verified and accredited by national accreditation body UKAS, and it comes with a ‘Crown & Tick’ mark that underlines the security that comes from Government-backed certification.

It demonstrates that HRM Homecare has at its core, well-led, risk-based, customer-centred high-quality services – the fundamental principles of all health and social care provision.

Lynn Laughland, Managing Director of HRM Homecare, said the certification underlined the company’s investment and commitment in providing excellent care at home support, self-directed support and specialised care to children and families, adults with disabilities and older people across Scotland’s central belt.

She said: “I am so proud that my staff have not only achieved ISO 9001: 2015 Certification for HRM Homecare but also did so while continuing to provide excellent care at home support to hundreds of service users during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a source of huge pride for us all at HRM Homecare. It shows just how high the quality of care is that we provide. Once again, my HRM carers and staff team have shown just how skilled they are, and how valuable they have proved to be for those left most vulnerable in the face of this pandemic.”

Dr Donald Macaskill, Chief Executive of Scottish Care, the representative body for independent social care services in Scotland, said: “I want to congratulate all the staff at HRM Homecare Services in what is a remarkable achievement.

“To attain this prodigious standard of excellence at any time is worthy of note, but to do so during one of the worst crises facing social care delivery is an indication of the robustness and high calibre of the organisation and its leadership. We all know that the management and leadership of an organisation is critical to its quality and this recognition underlines HRM’s abilities in a very clear way.”

The goal of ISO 9001: 2015 accreditation is to make sure an organisation has fully incorporated a quality management system so it can increase productivity, reduce unnecessary costs and ensuring quality of processes.

Companies which achieve this certification have successfully demonstrated how their care services all meet customer, statutory and regulatory quality standards expected by bodies such as the Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), and The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate Scotland (HEIS).

The achievement comes alongside HRM Homecare being shortlisted for two Scottish Care at Home Awards. The company was nominated for the Palliative and End of Life Care Practise Award, while Service Manager Claire Graham was shortlisted among the best emerging talent by industry representatives.