Cambridge care home praised by national care inspectors

A Cambridge care home has received the seal of approval from a national care watchdog, with relatives and residents praising its caring team members.

The Care Quality Commission, England’s regulator of health and social care, gave Care UK’s Heathlands House, on Bullen Close, an overall ’good’ rating, following an unannounced inspection. 

The home received ‘Good’ ratings in all five categories, including safety, responsiveness and having a well-led service.

Inspectors commended team members for their dedication to building strong relationships with residents, with one resident sharing that the “staff are wonderful” and they regularly engage in “lots of chats and laughter” together. 

The team were also praised for the level of respect they showed to residents, with team members understanding that Heathlands House is home for the residents, and therefore spaces belong to them. For example, team members knock before entering any occupied spaces – one resident explained that the team “always ask my opinion” and decribed them as “respectful”. 

The report highlighted the extensive training team members take, including how many opt to take extra additional courses to further their knowledge and caring ability. Paying extra consideration to the needs of residents, team members are also undertaking specific training around autism and diabetes. 

Extra support is also in place for residents living with dementia – for example, ’show plates’ are used to allow residents to see the meals on offer to help with selection. Team members were observed explaining components of meals, checking residents were enjoying their food, and being flexilble with eating arrangements, allowing residents to choose when and where they ate.

Heathlands House was also praised for promoting autonomy within the home, using tailored care plans for each resident and closely working with both residents and relatives to ensure maximum independence. Residents are able to decorate their bedrooms to their personal taste, select meals based on preference and engage in regular activities of their choosing. Residents are also supported to maintain relationships and engage in regular social opportunities, as well as get involved in a range of hobbies suited to their interests. Frequent activities are planned, such as card-making, a book club and visits from the Fitzwilliam Museum.

Razvan Stanbeca, Home Manager at Heathlands House, said: “Everyone here at Heathlands House works incredibly hard to ensure the home is a warm and friendly place for both residents and relatives. It’s important that we deliver the highest standards of care possible and we’re thrilled this has been recognised by our recent CQC inspection – this is our first inspection since we opened in 2021, so we’re delighted to be starting off on such a strong foot!

“I’d like to extend a huge thank you to the whole team, on behalf of myself, residents and their families, for their hard-work and dedication to ensuring Heathlands House is a wonderful place to call home.”

To assess standards at Heathlands House, the Care Quality Comission inspectors spoke with team members, residents, and their visiting relatives on the day of inspection. They also reviewed the records and procedures in place at the care home.

To find out more about Heathlands House, please contact Customer Relations Manager, Johan Molloy-Cruden, on johan.molloy-cruden2@careuk.com or call 01223 631945. 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Heathlands House incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities both indoors and out. The layout of the building has been configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge and dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.

For more information, visit careuk.com/heathlands-house