Independent care provider, Southern Healthcare announces that The Old Rectory Care home based in Exeter, has been rated ‘overall outstanding’ by Care Quality Commission (CQC), in four domains: effective, responsive, caring and well-led, and is one of only three nursing homes in Exeter to be awarded this high-rating. Just under 20,000 community based health and care services are inspected by CQC over a 12month period, and following the announcement, The Old Rectory is now part of the elite 1% in the U.K., inspected by the CQC who get outstanding, and is even less for nursing homes. And it’s a double celebration for Southern Healthcare as the CQC has also just awarded their sister care home, Sefton Hall in Dawlish an ‘Outstanding’ rating. Sefton Hall opened their traditional pub and authentic 1960/70’s inspired ice-cream parlour autumn last year.

The innovative care team at The Old Rectory has brought the ‘outside in’ for residents and families, as a part of their ongoing activity programme. Within the home, they have created a country-style pub called ‘The Duke of Wellington’ offering beer and spirits. A contemporary caf serving specialist roasted coffee and light snacks located in the heart of the home, converts into a cinema classic films with matinee and evening showings served with popcorn. The latest addition to the home is the new beer garden with cocktail bar, and kegs of award-winning Avocet beer kindly donated by Exeter Brewery; helping to make it the perfect setting for residents and their visitors to enjoy quality time together.

Residents, visitors and staff celebrated the CQC award in style with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Ben Bradshaw MP who officially opened ‘The Duke of Wellington’, and newly created beer garden. Andy Cowling a popular activities co-ordinator at the home, really got the party going with his guitar and miming well known sons and everyone joined in. The medley of old classics evoked wonderful memories, particularly for residents with a dementia as they remembered the words as they sang along to the much-loved tunes.

Ben Bradshaw MP said: “I was very impressed with the new facilities at The Old Rectory, as part of their developing dementia care programme. It means residents can continue living a meaningful life, and enjoy the same experiences as they had before needing specialist care. It’s a great way for them meet visitors for a drink in the beer garden or to chat over a pub lunch. I was absolutely delighted to be asked to officially open the new facilities, and able to speak to residents and their families. Everyone really enjoyed the opening party which was a huge success – a very happy occasion with faces full of joy… “

Southern Healthcare established in 2000 and has four homes based in Exeter, Dawlish, Plymouth and Seaton with a total of 162 rooms, and employs over 220 staff, providing complex nursing, dementia and residential care.

Paul Courtney, Operations Manager- Southern Healthcare concludes: “We believe that you don’t have to leave your life at the door when entering one of our care homes, and we are absolutely delighted that the hard-work of the care team has been recognised by CQC at The Old Rectory. The panel of inspectors asked me to talk about culture change, and were particularly impressed with our community angle, and how local businesses have engaged with us by donating equipment and services to help us achieve our goal. We also delighted to say that we have just been advised that the CQC has also awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating for our Dawlish care home, Sefton Hall.”

www.southernhealthcare.co.uk

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ITV West Country News

Ben Bradshaw interview at The Old Rectory beer garden opening