Watchdog Praises Care Home Service
A care home in Skelmersdale has been highly praised by an independent health watchdog for the level of its care, its people and its services.
Birch Green Care Home was assessed by representatives from Healthwatch Lancashire to gather the views of residents, staff and relatives on standards of care and services.
The health watchdog gave the home its highest possible overall assessment of Green in its ‘traffic light’ system – that it would recommend the home to a loved one.
In summary, the Healthwatch report concluded: “Representatives considered the environment of the home to be friendly, clean, light, spacious and homely with easy navigation points throughout the home.
“The interior has recently been refurbished to create a ‘hotel comfort’ ambience. Residents were consulted on the décor for their home and were shown mood boards to help make decisions. Representatives observed a calm but energetic environment on their visit.”
Other positive comments in the report included Birch Green “going the extra mile,” with “emphasis on health and wellbeing for staff,” and the “extensive information” available. It added that the home – part of the Springhill Care Group – seeks to invest in its staff and create community links.
It follows a recent rating from the industry assessors the Care Quality Commission which awarded the home a ‘good’ rating, with inspectors making particular note of the commitment of staff.
The report from Healthwatch added: “Representatives evidenced a variety of activities were taking place inside and outside the home with relatives having the opportunity to join in such as attending for the Sunday roast.
“Residents told us they enjoyed the activities on offer. Residents and relatives, we spoke to considered Birch Green Care Home to be a good place to live with good caring staff, good food and good activities.”
Vicky Sudworth, General Manager of Birch Green, said: “Our staff are committed to providing the very best levels of care and this kind of positive feedback is thanks to their hard work. We are only too pleased to welcome any independent assessment and to understand how we might improve even further.”
