Changing perceptions of care homes

Bupa UK area manager of care homes in Glasgow Aileen Waton had never intended to work in the care home sector. Over recent years, however, she has ensured all nine care homes she manages have received the highest grades Scotland’s Care Inspectorate awards for the standards of care they provide. Here, she talks to Jennifer Sprinks about her career to date.

Aileen Waton's career in nursing is far removed from the one she originally wanted to pursue, in interior design.

Now Bupa UK area manager in Glasgow, Ms Waton had not thought she would become a nurse when she was growing up, and she decidedly did not want to work in a care home.

‘Before going to university, I worked for a few months in a care home to earn some money, but I didn’t enjoy it,’ she recalls. ‘I had expected to sit and chat