Skylark House wins approval of national care inspectors

Home news

May 21, 2018

A national care watchdog has given Skylark House the seal of approval, with relatives and residents praising its caring and attentive team members.

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) report gave Skylark House an overall ‘good’ rating, following an unannounced inspection.

The home was rated ‘good’ in five out of five categories for safety, effectiveness, caring, having a well-led service, and responsiveness. 

The report praised the home for providing residents with a multitude of activities to take part in day-to-day, and for empowering residents to decide which activities to take part in, in order to maintain their independence. Regular activities taking place at the home include games and quizzes, exercise sessions and, for those looking to relax, massages and manicures. 

Residents are also able to enjoy film nights in the home’s own cinema, and it was noted that themed events, including a Valentine’s ball and a Christmas party, regularly take place at the home. Local singers or musicians often visit the home to perform for residents, with one resident commenting, “They pull out all the stops!”. 

The team was praised for being kind, caring and supportive, with a resident stating, “There is such a lovely atmosphere. This is a happy place.” The report also noted that the home encouraged residents to maintain relationships with friends and family, as well as to make new friends at the home, to prevent feelings of isolation. 

Residents are encouraged to continue, or take up new, hobbies and interests at the home – for instance, a resident who had been a maintenance worker before retiring and moving to the home regularly enjoys helping out the home’s handyman, both inside the home and in the garden.

The report praised the friendly atmosphere between residents at mealtimes and the variety of food on offer for residents to enjoy, which is freshly prepared by the home’s own chef depending on their preferences. One resident said, “The new chef is brilliant.”.

The home received high praise from residents and their families during the inspection. One resident said, “I’m so glad I’m here. [The team] are absolutely brilliant.” A family member added, “I couldn’t have found a better home for [my relative].”.

Devendra Lallchand, home manager at Skylark House, said “We strive to create a welcoming ‘home-from-home’ feel at Skylark House, and I’m so pleased our efforts have been recognised by the CQC’s inspectors. Everyone here works incredibly hard to support residents with compassionate, person-centred care, and to receive a ‘good’ rating in all five categories shows just how dedicated the team is at looking after every individual’s needs.

“I’m extremely proud of our team, and I would like to say thank you for their hard work and dedication, which I know is also greatly appreciated by residents and their families.”