Glastonbury Court wins approval of national care inspectors

Home news

Jul 05, 2017

A national care watchdog has given Glastonbury Court the seal of approval, with relatives and residents praising its caring and attentive team members.

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

Praise was given for the compassionate and attentive care that each team member showed the residents, and it was observed that there was a positive, open and inclusive culture.

The report noted that the atmosphere in the home was warm and welcoming with residents commenting that they feel at ease and safe in their ‘home from home’. One relative said: “I think this place is superb, you are always made very welcome. I go to the coffee shop, the team always stop and chat. They make you feel really at home and keep me well informed. I can’t speak highly enough of the place or the team.”

It was also found that team members supported residents to be independent where possible, and encouraged them to make decisions about their own care and support. One relative commented: “I love it here... I worried about my relative going into care, but they are fantastic and look after my relative like I would.”

During the visit, inspectors observed that the team at Glastonbury Court had created an extensive activities programme which was planned to reflect residents’ individual interests. The inspectors witnessed the team inviting people to take part in an art workshop, decorating socks and t-shirts, and spoke to residents about the range of activities on offer throughout the week. One resident commented: “I am a pianist, I get to play once a week and we all go and sing-along. It makes a nice afternoon and there’s often quite a crowd.” It was also noted that the care team involve residents in book clubs, knitting groups and spend time with residents on a one to one basis, tending to the care home’s garden.

Sharlene Van Tonder, home manager at Glastonbury Court, said: “We strive to create a welcoming home from home feel at Glastonbury Court, 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.”

It was also observed that people’s nutritional needs were assessed, and residents were provided with plenty to eat and drink to maintain a balanced diet. Both residents and visiting family members were complementary about the meals on offer at Glastonbury Court, one relative commented: “the food is excellent, whatever you want you can have. They prompt my relative with a soup at teatime, and give them a plate of sandwiches to take back to their room for supper, it’s perfect for them.”