Family atmosphere at Ovingham care home praised by CQC

The unannounced inspection by the healthcare watchdog took place at Wellburn House in August this year.

Staff were praised following the visit in a report which rated it as good in all five categories: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

The care home has made huge strides to improve following an inspection in December last year when it was rated as ‘requires improvement’.

But the CQC report said the provider had improved systems for the safe management of medicines.

Meanwhile, a new management structure had been implemented with inspectors commenting that the current manager had good experience in the service and modelled professional behaviour to the staff.

The home, which accommodates up to 33 people, was hailed in the report as having “lovely, well-trained” staff and a welcoming atmosphere.

The CQC spoke to relatives and staff, who praised the home for feeling “like a big family.”

It also highlighted the extensive community links that the home has developed, including partnerships with local nurseries, schools, Age UK Northumberland and creative arts.

In the report, inspectors said they had received a statement from Wellburn House’s home manager, Laura Simpson.

It read: “Community involvement within our homes is essential in ensuring our residents continue to feel like valued members of the community when they make the move into their new home.”

Following the results of the inspection, executive chairman of the home, Rachel Beckett, said: “I’m ecstatic that the hard work and dedication my team at Wellburn House have shown has been recognised with such fantastic feedback from CQC.

“With vital changes to the management structure now in place, the home has gone from strength to strength.

“We have made such a great deal of progress and plan to continue with the same momentum over the coming year. I can’t wait to see just where we can take Wellburn House with my fantastic team behind us.”