National care inspectors praise Hartlepool care home

A national care watchdog has given a Hartlepool care home its seal of approval, with relatives and residents praising its caring, person-centred culture.

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) report gave Care UK’s Elwick Grange, on Elwick Road, an overall good rating, following an unannounced inspection.

The home is now rated good in all five areas, which include being safe, effective, caring responsive and well-led.

Promoting a holistic approach to care, the report highlighted the strong relationships team members have formed with residents, resulting in an “inclusive and empowering” culture at the home. 

One relative said: “The team are approachable, and the home is well managed.”

Inspectors observed how this open and welcoming environment put residents at ease, allowing team members to better support those in their care to live independent and fulfilling lives. 

Inspectors were impressed with the home’s person-centred approach, from the care plans to its commitment to building relationships within the community. The home’s “strong ethos” for residents to be able to lead fulfilling lives was also noted by inspectors, with team members helping residents to pursue their interests as well as develop new skills. 

The team is also trained in Namaste care, which incorporates physical, sensory and emotional approaches to the care of those living with advanced dementia, to encourage relaxation and improve wellbeing. 

The management team’s approach to leadership was also highlighted in the report, with team members encouraged to provide feedback and equipped with the tools for career progression. The Home Manager, Wendy Winspear, is passionate about striving for perfection and has implemented an “open and transparent culture” where people feel empowered, an approach reflected in the quality of the care residents receive. 

Promoting an “open” culture at the home, team members were “enthusiastic” and “knowledgeable” about their roles and work well together. This sentiment was echoed as residents, relatives and team members all agreed the Home Manager was “approachable and supportive”. 

A team member said: “We can go to Wendy, (the Home Manager), with anything.” 

One relative added: “The manager’s door is always open.”

Wendy Winspear, Home Manager at Elwick Grange, said: “Creating a friendly, comfortable environment that enables residents to feel at home, while promoting independence is something we work hard to achieve here at Elwick Grange. Being awarded a ‘good’ CQC rating truly reflects the care and passion that our team members invest into ensuring each and every resident receives high-quality tailored care, and we’re thrilled with the result. 

“It is down to our fantastic team’s dedication and enthusiasm that we are able to offer the very best levels of support and care possible. I’d like to thank everyone at the home for their continued dedication, which I know is also greatly appreciated by residents and their families.”

To assess service standards at Elwick Grange, the CQC inspectors 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. 

Elwick Grange has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides residential and specialist dementia care, as well as short term respite and end of life care.