A national care watchdog has given a Darlington 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 Ventress Hall, on Trinity Road, an overall good rating, following an unannounced inspection.
The home is now rated good in all five areas, including safe, effective, caring, responsive and being well-led.
The report also stated that residents were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, and the team supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests.
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The management team at the home was praised by inspectors and relatives, who described the atmosphere as positive and person-centred.
The home manager, Diane Encinias, has implemented an inclusive culture which, the inspectors thought, was reflected in the quality of the care residents receive.
One team member commented: “I love my job and looking after the residents, they are all so lovely. (home manager) and (deputy manager) are approachable and supportive.”
One relative said: “The manager is very communicative and helpful. She keeps us well informed about everything.”
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Another said: “There is a good team spirit, very friendly, relaxed and comfortable. There's nothing to improve.”
Diane said: “Everyone at Ventress Hall works incredibly hard to provide the highest possible standards of care to all residents and their families in a friendly, comfortable environment, so I’m proud we received a good CQC rating.
“Every resident is unique – so why should their care plan be any different? We pride ourselves in the high-quality tailored care we provide, enabling residents to lead fulfilling lives in a warm, peaceful environment that has been designed to promote independence and support those who live at the home.
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“I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at Ventress Hall for their dedication, which I know is also greatly appreciated by residents and their families. They are what makes our care home a wonderful place to call home for so many residents, and I’m grateful for everything they do on a daily basis.”
To assess service standards at Ventress Hall, 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.
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