"Outstanding": Oxfordshire care home secures top inspection rating

“Outstanding skills when looking after people” and “excellent role models” in the management team have led The Grange Care Centre in Faringdon secure the top rating following its most recent unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

The Grange, part of the Forest Healthcare Group family of homes, has been run for the last 30 years by husband and wife team, Ian and Wendy Mead, who were both singled out for praise in the report for their excellent leadership and excellent understanding of the quality of care for more than 40 residents at the home.  Indeed, leadership of the care home was rated outstanding, with the inspectors noting “a truly positive care experience through innovative and creative leadership”.

The responsiveness of the home was also rated outstanding, with inspectors observing that staff “had outstanding skills when looking after people.  They demonstrated an excellent understanding of people’s social and cultural needs, used innovative ideas and involved people in the decisions about their lives… enabling people to live their life to the full.”

“It goes without saying that we are absolutely delighted to have achieved an overall rating of ‘outstanding’ for The Grange, and it is fair to say that is has been a team effort, including staff, the head office team, residents and their families to secure this prestigious accolade,” comments joint registered manager, Wendy Mead.  “The inspection report represents a snapshot of the high level of care we deliver here; it is wonderful that they were able to observe what we experience 24 hours a day, seven days a week - happy and fulfilled residents being looked after by passionate, skilled and hard-working staff.”

The inspection took place on 7 April, with the CQC inspection report published this week.  The Grange is one of just two homes in Oxfordshire to have achieved the highest rating of ‘outstanding’ under the new inspection criteria.  Out of over 10,000 care centres that have been assessed, only around 65 have received ‘outstanding’ status, ranking The Grange in the top 0.5% of care homes in the country.

The CQC rating comes just weeks after The Grange became the first care home in the country to achieve the Stroke Association’s Bronze Care Award, part of a new assessment scheme organised by the Stoke Association to recognise excellent practice in stroke care.

The Grange is part of the Forest Healthcare Group family of homes, which includes 12 other homes throughout London and the South East.  The Grange offers 24-hour care to elderly residents and younger people in need of round the clock support, whether as respite, post-operative or long-term care.  For more information on The Grange Care Centre, please visit www.foresthc.com or call 01367 718836.  Those interested in a place at The Grange are welcome to visit at any time, with no appointment necessary.

To view a full copy of the CQC report for The Grange, please visit http://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-116845496

ENDS

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Jay Commins

Pyper York Limited

Tel:         01904 500698

Email:    jay@pyperyork.co.uk