Residents celebrate as Westlands retains ‘good’ recognition
People living at Westlands in Rugby are celebrating after their home retained its ‘good’ recognition – with ‘outstanding leadership’ – from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The home on Oliver Street received the rating after an unannounced inspection by the care home regulator in June 2017. It’s the sixth home run by WCS Care to be recognised as ‘good’ with another six recognised as ‘outstanding’ including Dewar Close, Drovers House, and Mill Green in Rugby.
Westlands is home for up to 41 people and provides long-term residential care and short-term respite care for residents living with dementia, as well as older people with long-term physical conditions.
The CQC report said that ‘people were at the heart of the service’ at Westlands and that ‘staff and the management team shared and demonstrated the provider’s philosophy that every day should be well lived.’
Inspectors said: ‘People told us they liked living at the home because they were supported to be as independent as possible’ and that residents said ‘…they were very happy with the quality of the service’ at Westlands.
The report stated that ‘staff’s thoughtfulness and understanding was effective in creating relationships with people based on mutual trust’.
Residents told inspectors that ‘staff are kind and patient’ and ‘the care staff are lovely 110% of the time’.
And a relative commented: ‘I knew as soon as we walked in the door, there was no questions, that this is where [my relative] was coming to live’; while another said: ‘My friend has absolutely blossomed since they have come here.’
Inspectors found that WCS Care was ‘…innovative and creative and strived to improve the quality of people’s lives’ and highlighted the use of technology at Westlands including electronic care planning, which means carers spend more time with residents rather than completing paperwork.
It also highlighted use of the Relatives’ Gateway, which allows people to check in on their loved one’s care (with appropriate consent) wherever they are in the world with an internet connection.
Christine Asbury, Chief Executive for WCS Care, added: ‘I’m really proud and impressed with the Westlands report because it’s so overwhelmingly positive and affirming of the values, passion, and commitment to deliver high quality care that drives the teams in all of our homes.
‘I often say that good is good enough because it means the service is performing well and meeting the CQC’s expectations – and most importantly, those of residents – and while we’re delighted to have six ‘outstanding’ homes, it’s really important to recognise the same great care delivered in homes which achieve a ‘good’ rating.
‘As always, we’ll continue to push the boundaries of innovation and creativity in care, and will continue to find new ways of responding to the ambitions of the people living in a WCS Care home.’