Care UK homes win approval of national quality inspector

Home news

Mar 16, 2016

Three Care UK homes have recently been given the seal of approval by a national care watchdog, with relatives and residents praising the homes’ caring team members. 

Following unannounced inspections of Perry Manor in Worcester, Mountfitchet House in Stansted and Cleves Place in Haverhill, all three homes have been given ‘good’ ratings in reports from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

In order to assess service standards at the care homes, the CQC’s inspectors spoke with team members, residents and visiting relatives on the day of the inspection. They also conducted a review of the records and procedures already in place at each care home.
 
The inspectors found, across the three different homes, the teams were responsive towards people’s health needs and people were treated with respect and dignity. The reports also highlighted how residents enjoyed taking part in activities, and were able to maintain their own hobbies and interests.  

Each home received praise for their service. Here are some of the highlights from the respective reports:  

Perry Manor, Charles Hastings Way, Worcester

The inspector recognised the care provided at Perry Manor was tailored to the individual needs of the residents. This included offering various food and drink options to suit different preferences, and this led residents to vote for head chef, Peter McGregor, to win Care UK’s Chef of the Year Award. Residents commented that they felt safe and well looked after, with some individuals saying their health had improved due to effective team practices.

Colleagues at Perry Manor were commended for their efforts in making the home a comfortable place for those living with dementia, from specific recreational activities to physical aids such as dark hand rails on light coloured walls. It was remarked that a member of the team had been supported to enrol at university to become a dementia specialist. 

One area that was observed by the inspector as being particularly good was a full programme of activities, from school choir visits to film nights and evening singers. 

Mountfitchet House, Coltsfield, Stansted 

Mountfitchet House received a good overall rating by CQC inspectors and was awarded outstanding for care. This was largely down to the passion of the team and its desire to make a real difference to people’s lives, while the person-centred care provided helped colleagues to understand the likes and dislikes of individuals. 

Residents commented that they really value their relationships with their carers and felt their expectations had been exceeded. Relatives were equally as complimentary about the Care UK team at Mountfitchet House and the varied activities arranged for their loved ones, including trips to the local pub, garden centre and museum. 

It was recognised how social inclusion is encouraged while the team also acknowledge when people want to spend time on their own – and ensures their privacy is respected. 

Cleves Place, Millfields Way, Haverhill 

CQC inspectors observed the strong relationships between the team and residents, with colleagues making the effort to understand each resident’s life history. This was regarded as important by relatives of people living at the home, as they praised the supportive, kind and compassionate home management and care team. 

Residents at Cleves Place explained how they feel supported to take part in a wide range of activities on the weekly programme. Alongside the hobbies and interests suggested by the activities co-ordinators, residents were also encouraged to take part in meaningful tasks around the care home, such as helping with folding the laundry. 

An area that really stood out to inspectors was the sensory and reminiscence items available to support those living with dementia. These included a beach themed area, a sewing and dress making area and an old fashioned office. Other facilities at the home include a coffee shop and pub, which were highlighted as popular, sociable places valued by relatives and residents alike.

Care UK is one of the largest providers of residential care for older people. It runs 112 care homes that deliver care to approximately 7,000 people.