A national care watchdog has given a Stroud care home the seal of approval, with relatives and residents praising its caring and attentive team members.

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) report gave Care UK’s Scarlet House, on Westwood Road, an overall ‘good’ rating, following an unannounced inspection.

To assess service standards at Scarlet House, the CQC’s inspector 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.

The inspectors commented that residents were treated with kindness and compassion by the care and nursing team. Residents said they felt cared for, with one resident commenting: “I would say they're caring, they look after me very well”.

The report also noted that residents were treated with dignity and respect. Resident’s social needs were met, with inspectors observing the team supporting residents to take part in activities which were tailored to their individual needs.

The range of activities on offer was praised by the inspectors. Where residents required support to engage in activities, this was provided by lifestyle co-ordinators and the care team. Residents enjoy their social life, with one person commenting, "There is always plenty to do, I never feel bored." Another person said, "I enjoy my life here."

The lifestyle team had also fostered relationships with community organisations, including local play groups, schools and the local MP, to promote resident's engagement with the local community.

Inspectors also commended the interactions between the team and residents. The team members took opportunities to engage with residents and ensure they were comfortable. One member of the team was delivering resident's meals, and made time to speak with and encourage one person to enjoy their lunch. The resident benefitted from these conversations and was happy throughout.

During the inspector’s visit, it was noted that resident’s needs were known by team members who were positive about caring for them. One team member told inspectors how a resident did not like to eat alone, and as the resident was asleep during lunch, the team member asked them to sit with them in a nursing station while they ate their snack plate. The person was comfortable and happy eating their lunch in the company of the team member.

Residents were supported through a range of communication methods to maintain their relationships, including the use of computer-based video calls. People could also personalise their rooms, including furniture and mementos which were important to them. One resident had pictures of their family which they enjoyed looking at.

The report noted that the team respected resident’s views and belongings. One person liked to have a therapy doll, and the team respected the doll as if it were a real baby. The doll gave the resident great comfort and a sense of wellbeing.

Inspectors commended the management team, who were described as approachable by the team. The team spoke about the positive culture home manager, Kate Stevens, was implementing into the home. The service was consistently managed and well-led, with team members stating that  they felt the management team promoted an open and transparent culture.

Commenting on the ‘good’ rating, Kate Stevens said: “Creating a welcoming home-from-home feel, and making sure every resident receives the best possible care, is our absolute priority. Everyone here at Scarlet House works incredibly hard to provide residents with compassionate, person-centred care, and I’m delighted that our efforts have been recognised by the CQC’s inspectors.

“I’m extremely proud of the team and I would like to say thank you for their hard work and dedication, which I know is also greatly appreciated by residents and their families.”

Scarlet House comes complete with its own cinema, hairdressing salon and café and provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care for up to 86 residents. Designed to enable residents to maintain their independence, it incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.

To find out more Scarlet House care home call 01453 807 241 or email customer relations manager, Virginia Peachey on virginia.peachey@careuk.com

For more general information, visit: careuk.com/scarlet-house