Clara Court wins national award

Company news

Dec 01, 2014

Clara Court care home, praised by residents, colleagues, local healthcare professionals and a national care watchdog, has won this year’s Care Home of the Year Award at the annual Care UK Residential Care Services Awards. The team at Clara Court saw off stiff competition from 114 care homes that were eligible to enter the nationwide competition. At the awards ceremony on Thursday 20 November, judges congratulated the team on their outstanding performance and praised their commitment, dedication and compassion.

The latest visit by the government’s Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors highlighted the level of care received at the home, noting that people's privacy, dignity and independence were respected. They also reported that people's views and experiences were taken into account in the way the services were provided and delivered in relation to their care.

Relatives praised the home for its cleanliness and the compassion of its team while residents told inspectors that they had choice in everything and that the carers were always kind and respectful.

Debbie Winwood, home manager at Clara Court, said: “The team was very happy when our name was announced. It’s an honour I think they deserve as they work so hard, each and every day, to give residents the same care they would wish for their own loved ones.”

To win the award the home had to go through a rigorous assessment with a detailed application, a presentation in front of judges and an inspection carried out at the home.

Carole Hunt, awards judge and chief operating officer at Care UK, said: “When you visit Clara Court you are made to feel truly welcome from the minute you walk through the front door. The team members provide care and services with a smile on their face and treat every resident with respect and dignity.

“The home provides a person-centred activity programme and encourages members from the local community to engage in it. It truly passes the ‘CQC Mum test’. If someone I loved needed a care home to live in, I would have no hesitation in recommending Clara Court and the great team that gives the home its soul.”

The home, which also provides specialist care for people living with dementia, has a full activities programme. Debbie said: “Our activities co-ordinators organise a range of activities every day of the week. Every Thursday, an exercise instructor comes in to run a SMILE exercise class – the name stands for ‘so much improvement with a little exercise’.

“We have a thriving gardening club and residents enjoy trips out to local pubs and garden centres, as well as nearby attractions such as Windsor Castle. In the summer we have trips further afield to places like Brighton where we can all enjoy fish and chips and a stroll on the prom.”