The Potteries wins approval of national care inspectors

Home news

Mar 09, 2017

A national care watchdog has given The Potteries the seal of approval, with relatives and residents praising its kind and caring team members.

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) report gave The Potteries an overall ‘good’ rating, following an unannounced inspection.

The home received ‘good’ ratings in all five categories, including safety, effectiveness, level of care, responsiveness and well-led service.

A great level of detail was shown throughout the home, to which a resident mentioned that, “The nice, small touches make a difference.” Residents said they were happy living at The Potteries, one person commented: "I have been here a few months now and I am very happy. They look after me very well.”

Following research suggesting that those living with dementia often eat better from coloured crockery, coloured plates were purchased for the home which has proven beneficial for many residents. Plates with slightly raised sides had also been purchased to enable residents to move their food onto cutlery with greater ease helping to promote their independence.

It was highlighted that there is a good relationship between the residents and team members which had created a safe and friendly environment. During the inspection a relative said how caring they had found everyone in the home, and added that the team always took time to listen and chat with residents.

Praise was placed on the care that each team member showed towards the residents, and it was observed that relationships between the team and the residents demonstrated dignity and respect at all times.

It was also referenced that team members would visit the home during their days off to care for the home’s pet rabbit and fish, as they knew that the pets brought joy to a number of residents at the home.  

The report also praised that the home manager’s door is ‘always open’, allowing employees, residents and relatives to raise any issue or queries, which are then dealt with in the appropriate manner. One resident added: "If I am worried, I can talk to the carers and I know they will sort things out straight away."

Zita Turner, home manager at The Potteries, said: “We strive to create a welcoming home from home feeling at The Potteries, and I’m so pleased our efforts have been recognised by the CQC’s inspectors. Everyone here works incredibly hard to support residents with compassionate, person-centred care, and to be rated ‘good’ shows just how committed the team is to making a positive difference to resident’s lives each and every day.

“I’m extremely proud of our team and I would like to say thank you for their hard work and dedication, which I know is also greatly appreciated by residents and their families.”

The inspectors added that The Potteries implemented a detailed, person-centred approach to care plans. Residents were free to spend their recreational time as they chose, and participation in the wide range of activities, offered seven days a week, was encouraged.

To assess service standards at The Potteries, the CQC’s inspector spoke with team members, residents and their visiting relatives on the day of the inspection. They also reviewed the records and procedures already in place at the care home.

The Potteries has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as short term respite and day care.