Kingfisher House Care Home, situated on Dundee Road in Perth, threw open its doors for a day of celebration, bringing together residents, relatives, local dignitaries, former hospital staff and members of the community to mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Honouring the heritage of the former Hillside Hospital
Honouring the heritage of the former Hillside HospitalBuilt on the site of the former Hillside Hospital, the event was particularly poignant as former members of staff returned to reminisce about the hospital that served generations of local people before its closure.
Among those attending were three former nurses who worked at Hillside Hospital in the 1990’s. They fondly recalled the hospital’s strong sense of community, where generations of local families knew one another and staff cared for patients as neighbours and friends. “Although it’s a completely different building, the sense of community is still here. Kingfisher House has brought care back to this special place, and that’s wonderful to see.”
Adding an even deeper connection to the site’s history, the former nurses also shared treasured photographs of the original hospital and revealed that their mothers had served there as Red Cross nurses during the 1940s, highlighting almost a century of family links to caring on the site.
A day of celebration in the gardens
Blessed with glorious sunshine, the celebrations took place in the beautiful gardens, where guests enjoyed an afternoon packed with entertainment. Alba Therapy Ponies proved a huge hit with visitors of all ages, while Beelieve Circus wowed crowds with spectacular fire performances. Live music from a local band, together with the unmistakable sound of a traditional Scottish piper, created a wonderful atmosphere throughout the day.
The celebrations officially began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Stephen Leckie, Lord-Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross, alongside the Councillor Bailie Chris Ahern. Their attendance reflected the importance of the new care home to the local community and its role in continuing the site’s long history of caring for people.
One of the day’s most memorable moments belonged to Kingfisher House’s very first resident, Ms Frances Kennedy. Invited to cut the celebratory cake alongside her daughter and granddaughter, Frances delighted guests by using the Lord-Lieutenant’s ceremonial sword instead of a traditional cake knife, prompting smiles and applause from everyone gathered.
Grade 5 across every theme in first inspection
As if the grand opening celebrations were not enough, Kingfisher House Care Home also had another remarkable achievement to announce.
Less than a year after opening its doors, the home received Grade 5 – Very Good across every theme in its first Care Inspectorate inspection.
Inspectors praised the home’s compassionate culture, person-centred approach and exceptional teamwork. During feedback, inspectors became emotional as they described the positive impact staff were already having on residents’ wellbeing and quality of life, commending the genuine whole-team approach evident throughout the home.
Home Manager Gwyneth Christie said:
“We are incredibly proud to announce that Kingfisher House Care Home has achieved a Grade 5 rating following our latest inspection.
This outstanding result reflects the dedication, compassion and hard work of our entire team, who strive every day to provide exceptional care and support to our residents. We would also like to thank our residents, families and everyone who contributes to making Kingfisher House such a wonderful place to live and work.”
The Grand Opening showcased exactly what Kingfisher House Care Home stands for – a place where outstanding care, community spirit and local heritage come together. While the building itself is new, the values of kindness, compassion and community are deep-rooted in the team and residents within.
