Highbury New Park care home wins seal of approval from national care watchdog

Home news

Jun 02, 2016

Care UK’s Highbury New Park care home in Islington, London has been given the seal of approval by a national care watchdog.

At a visit by the Care Quality Commission in February, examining the home against a number of key areas such as safe, caring, effective, responsive and well-led, inspectors were happy to award the home an overall good rating.

During their visit to the home, which provides specialist care for older people, some of whom have dementia, the inspectors talked informally to the team and examined the home’s administrative systems and processes.

Home Manager Lia Smochina 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 respect people's dignity and independence.”

Inspectors found that the team took real care to ensure that residents were involved directly in their own care – one example observed was when a resident, who was supposed to be encouraged to stay mobile and out of bed, wanted to go back to their room to lie down. A team member encouraged them to stay in the day room but discovered, through talking to them, that they wanted to lie down because their back hurt. Their pain medication was reviewed and they were helped back to bed.

One relative told inspectors: “Here the staff give encouragement and don't just leave my relative to lie in bed all day. They (the staff) involve me in discussions and check to see if I am happy with everything.”

The inspectors observed that team members helped residents with day-to-day tasks where necessary, but allowed them to take the initiative, providing support and encouragement but reinforcing residents’ independence.

Inspectors were satisfied with how the home managed residents’ medicines, with all the correct systems in place to make sure that each person received what they needed at the right time. They were also satisfied with complaint procedures.

Relatives were also full of praise for the team – one said: “The staff are kind and always seem to have plenty of time for you. As you can see some people are always grumbling but the staff are so patient.”  Inspectors spoke with people's relatives about staffing – one told them they were much happier since their family member had moved to the home. They said “there is always someone with people, talking to them; they were not just left on their own to watch a television - in fact I don't think I've seen the television on.” Another relative said: “they seem to be well trained and have been here a long time, which tells its own story.”

The local GP, who visits regularly, also vouched for the high standard of care offered, saying: “they (the staff) do an excellent job, I'm very pleased with the care provided and they keep me informed of any changes.”

Lia said: “Everyone at Highbury New Park, including the kitchen, domestic and maintenance teams, strives to ensure that we create genuinely individual care for each resident.
“To do that, we ensure we get to know each person, their history and their interests, so that we can tailor each care plan to maintain their independence, life skills and sense of wellbeing.”

For more information on Highbury New Park, please call home manager, Lia Smochina, or email Lia.Smochina@careuk.com