‘Living the life of luxury’ – praise for Spilsby care home in watchdog’s report
Watchdog inspectors have heard a resident describe their stay at a care home in Spilsby as “living the life of luxury”.
The rich praise was included in a report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after a review of Dunsford, on Partney Road, at the end of September.
The home, based in a large, detached house, comprises six bedrooms and a self-contained, two-bedroom flat and is operated by the Linkage Community Trust, a charity that supports people with learning disabilities and autism.
Managed by Lorraine Munro, it is one of more than 20 residential care properties run by the charity across Lincolnshire, offering 24-hour supervision.
So impressed was the CQC that it gave Dunsford a ‘Good’ rating both overall and in all five individual categories, which are headed safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
The report reveals that residents also told the inspectors they felt safe and well cared for, describing staff as “really kind” and “lovely”. While relatives said: “Staff have the residents’ best interests at heart.”
The CQC said Dunsford “had a relaxed atmosphere and a positive working culture”, where the staff “felt valued and respected” by Linkage.
“Learning improvement and innovation” were promoted, including “effective data analysis systems” that were “easy to use and enabled leaders to make meaningful changes to people’s care that supported good quality of life”.
The inspectors found that residents “received person-centred care tailored to their needs, goals and preferences”.
The environment was “safe and homely”, staff had skills and knowledge, and medicines were administered safely.
"People were treated with kindness and respect,” the report went on. “Staff respected residents’ privacy, promoted their dignity and supported their independence.”
Residents’ bedrooms were “personalised and captured their interests and hobbies”. And although most residents attended a college or day service during the day, there was a range of things to do at the home, including a pool table, arts and crafts, a karaoke machine and celebrating birthdays.
The CQC found that residents worked well together but enjoyed the company of staff too They also felt included in decisions about their care, holding weekly meetings about the meals they wanted and creating a shopping list.