Thame care home celebrates duo of recognitions

A care home in Thame is celebrating after its home manager was nominated for a prestigious award.

Alana Corr, who leads Care UK’s Cuttlebrook Hall, on Stock Road, is in the running for the Leadership Award at the Oxfordshire Care Awards, which rewards the highest standards of care in the region. 

The nomination comes hot off the heels of the home’s recent ‘outstanding’ rating, granted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as part of its two-day evaluation – the highest possible score.

The home was assessed across safety, effectiveness, responsiveness, care and leadership. Inspectors were particularly impressed with the latter two areas, which they rated “outstanding”, praising the home’s warm environment and its positive culture. 

Relatives also echoed inspectors’ comments, with one family member adding: “We were looking for a home that could provide a high level of care. We liked the ethos, the structure, the rooms, the gardens, the private garden space, the café, the pub, the cinema, the bistro and the meeting places.”

The team’s “exceptional kindness” was praised extensively as part of the report, as inspectors witnessed several heartwarming interactions with residents. One team member posted birthday cards on behalf of a resident on their own personal time, as they knew it was important for them. Everyone at the home also learnt the basics of British Sign Language to help a deaf resident feel more included. A relative commented: “I see how well [people] are cared for and I see a happy team of staff and see that they are well valued too.”

The home’s person-centred approach to activities was also highlighted in the report, and the team’s “commitment to delivering personalised, meaningful experiences” was highly praised. Examples included a race day-themed event organised at the home for resident who was unable to attend a horse racing event due to mobility challenges, as well as regular trips to the supermarket for another resident who enjoyed shopping. 

The report noted the emphasis placed on empowering residents to remain as independent as possible. A resident, included as an example, said they wanted to walk to the café independently. To support them, the Cuttlebrook Hall team encouraged them to attend the home’s weekly exercise classes for them so they could build their stamina and adapted their nutrition plan, enabling them to reach their goal.

Finally, inspectors highlighted the positive culture Alana had built, resulting in the highest standards of care – one of the key drivers for her award nomination too. One team member commented: “I love my job and I don’t believe there is much else I would ever want to do.” Others praised the home manager, Alana Corr, for encouraging continuous learning, fostering mutual respect and openness, and giving team members opportunities to develop. One of them commented: “We have such a lovely team who are understanding and approachable. I find they are happy to work and appreciate their jobs.”

Alana said: “I’m excited to be nominated for an Oxfordshire Care Award, but mostly, I’m so proud of everyone here at Cuttlebrook Hall. Being rated outstanding is a massive achievement, and it’s all down to the team’s efforts.

“Our priority since opening our doors has always been to build a warm, positive environment where the highest standards of care are promoted. We believe every resident deserves the best possible care and support, which is why everything we do is person-centred, from our activities to our care plans. This rating feels like the culmination of years’ worth of hard work and efforts to meet and exceed these standards.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the residents, and for the trust their families place in us every day. Thank you to everyone who makes Cuttlebrook Hall a place so many are happy to call home; we can’t wait to celebrate with everyone!”

Cuttlebrook Hall is a state-of-the-art care home that provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies and includes its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and pub.