Surrey home wins seal of approval from national care watchdog

Home news

Jan 07, 2014

Care UK’s Milner House care home in Leatherhead has been given the seal of approval by a national care watchdog, with inspectors highlighting the home’s excellent range of activities and their responsiveness to residents’ and relatives needs in their report.

Following an unannounced visit by the Care Quality Commission, inspectors found that the home in Ermyn Way, Leatherhead, meets all the Government’s five standards of quality and safety which are:

• treating people with respect and involving them in their care
• providing care, treatment and support that meets people's needs
• caring for people safely and protecting them from harm
• staffing
• quality and suitability of management

During their visit to the home, which provides specialist care for older people, some who are living with dementia, the inspectors talked informally to the team, residents and their relatives and examined the home’s administrative systems and processes.

They found that residents and relatives welcomed the wide range of activities on offer at Milner House – they were told “They surpass themselves on the activities” and “The activities are excellent.” The inspectors examined an upcoming activities plan featuring events such as flower arranging, card making, entertainment and bingo, the latter proving very popular and involving relatives as well.

Home Manager Toshwatie Latchman said: “I am delighted that we reached the high standard set out by the Government and CQC and I was even more delighted that the inspectors highlighted how the team works to welcome residents and relatives, as well respecting their privacy, dignity and independence.

“Everyone here strives to ensure that we create genuinely individual care for each resident. It is very important to us that we get to know each resident and their relatives, so that we can tailor each care plan to maintain their independence, life skills and sense of wellbeing.”

The inspectors’ report also highlights some of comments from relatives. One person told them “What a good team of people,” worked at the home while another, speaking about a resident, said it was “reassuring to know she was in safe hands.”

The inspectors also noted that residents’ views and experiences were taken into account in the way care was planned, provided and delivered and residents and their families were given input into the running of the home, with meetings well-advertised, and there was plenty of information available about the running of the home.

Toshwatie said: “This is the residents’ home and we believe it is vital to their welfare and dignity that they have a role in how the home is run. We also welcome relatives’ participation and I was pleased to see that the inspectors mentioned Milner House’s welcoming and homely atmosphere.”