Top marks: Mercia Grange celebrates ‘Outstanding’ result following inspection

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Jul 23, 2019

A national care watchdog has given Mercia Grange its seal of approval, with relatives and residents praising its kind and compassionate team members. 

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) report gave Mercia Grange an overall ‘Outstanding’ rating, which is the highest possible result, following an unannounced inspection.

The care home received ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ ratings across the five categories of safety, effectiveness, level of care, responsiveness and leadership. 

Inspectors commended the exceptionally homely environment Mercia Grange provides for residents, and its caring, compassionate, respectful and empowering culture. 

Maggie Hannelly, CQC Head of Inspection for Adult Social Care in the central region, said: “Our inspection team was very impressed by the level of support offered at Mercia Grange care home. People and relatives provided consistently positive feedback about the care, staff and management at this home. They told us about the high level of care delivered and the positive changes this made to people’s lives.

“Without exception, people and families told us living at Mercia Grange had been the right decision, and that their quality of life had been enhanced.”

Inspectors commended the broad provision of activities and entertainment organised for the residents, including visiting football matches, enjoying afternoon tea dances, pet therapy sessions and being involved in interest groups such as gardening and cooking. On one occasion, a person from the local community even visited the care home with their classic motorcycle for the benefit of residents who had an interest in bikes.

The report noted that residents receive personalised care from team members who know them well, and engage with them at every opportunity. Each resident has their life history recorded, and team members use this information to get to know residents and build positive relationships with them.

The report also stated that residents are supported and treated with dignity and respect, with team members offering care which is compassionate and kind. One resident said: “[The team] are so good and friendly”. 

Commenting on the rating, Mercia Grange home manager, Shirley Gibbs, said: “It’s a real achievement to be awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating on our first CQC inspection, and we are absolutely delighted with the result. Everyone here works incredibly hard to provide residents with compassionate, person-centred care, and I’m delighted that our efforts have been recognised. 

“We are particularly passionate about working closely with our local community, to bring enjoyment to the lives of our team and residents, which we are thrilled the inspectors noted in their report. 

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