Staff at a Swindon care home are celebrating after receiving an Outstanding rating from the CQC.

Only four per cent of care facilities in the UK have been given the highest possible grade by Care Quality Commission inspectors, and the management team say it is particularly rare for larger care homes such as theirs, which looks after more than 80 residents.

Dozens of people gathered outside the entrance to the Haydon Wick complex to wave banners, pop confetti and give a big cheer for this achievement.

During the week-long inspection in August, inspectors found that people living there received “effective person-centred care from a caring and compassionate team”, that staff were attentive, responsive, happy, well trained and supported by leaders, and that effective systems were in place to meet people’s needs.

The report added: “People and their relatives felt very safe… and spoke positively about their experiences. They felt that staff went the extra mile to provide person-centred care.

“We saw numerous examples of innovative collaborations between the service and other agencies.”

Feedback from residents mentioned how moved one had been when the care home arranged a reunion for them which was "a special day that [they] will always remember", while relatives felt that they could leave at the end of their visits without worrying about their loved ones, who were being treated with compassion and dignity.

Another resident said: “The activity people give 100 per cent. After all, people are not here to die, they are here to live. I can find no fault at all here.”

Residents have gone on day trips to the seaside and have been encouraged to pursue their hobbies like swimming and carpentry, and maintain their independence where possible.

Relatives also spoke about the diversity of the workforce and liked the various cultural-themed events held at the care home throughout the year.

Care home manager Dawn Drew said: “We’ve been working hard for four years as a team to try and achieve this result, it’s absolutely amazing.

“I was ecstatic when I found out, I ran through the home telling everyone, saying ‘We got it!’

“I’ve been working in healthcare for 43 years and I have never had an experience quite like this one. We do things that go above and beyond the norm.

“Deputy manager Donna Bartholomew and I are completely committed to making sure residents live an enriched life by discovering what they can do and creating a home from home for them which feels like one big family."

This dream team has played a key role in obtaining the Outstanding rating.

Orchid Care Home is part of the Angel Care group. After hearing the good news, Zeta from Angel Care visited the home to congratulate everyone.

She said: “The team is really over the moon, it’s a validation of all their hard work.

"This is a happy, welcoming home. Other homes in the group have sent lovely messages and cards, everyone is thrilled.

“Donna and Dawn come in on weekends and all hours to help residents or sit with relatives when their loved ones are approaching the end of their lives.

"They always think about what is right for the residents and their families.”

Arifa Kapasi is the regional compliance and support manager.

She said: “The amount of examples of things the home has done is incredible, we had stacks of evidence for the inspectors.

“Recruiting in care is very difficult so we support a lot of overseas staff and make them feel at home, which residents embrace.

“We have high staff retainment, they don’t want to leave, and sometimes those that do want to come back."

 

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