South London care home rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated the Marlborough Court care home in Thamesmead, South London as Outstanding following an inspection in June 2015.

During the recent inspection, CQC inspectors found that the provider was delivering services that are safe, effective, caring, well-led and responsive to people’s needs.

Under CQC’s programme of inspections, all adult social care services are being given a rating to help people make informed choices about their care. Overall, the Marlborough Court care home has been rated as Outstanding.

A full report from the inspection has been published on the CQC website: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-304037140.

CQC found that the provider had strong leadership in place, with a strong ethos communicated to all staff on providing person centred care and ensuring a good quality of life for all service users. Staff had received additional specialised training in dementia as part of an organisational accreditation process and said that they felt valued and appreciated for their work. Both staff and management had also won a number of regional and national care awards.

A specially designed sensory garden was provided for residents with water features, wall chimes, plants and seating areas. Rails and raised beds helped ensure that all residents could use and interact with the garden, with sensors triggering different noises according to movements nearby.

The provider actively promoted residents’ involvement with their local community through the annual ‘Flame of Forgiveness Fortnight’ project. Started in 2014 and set to continue in 2015, the project commemorates World War One with an emphasis on the importance of forgiveness. Events take place involving local schools and culminate in the lighting of a beacon at the Marlborough Court care home.

Sally Warren, CQC's Deputy Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care, said:

"We found that the Marlborough Court care home is providing an Outstanding service, particularly for residents whose circumstances may make them vulnerable.

“We were particularly impressed with the provider’s work to ensure meaningful and positive experiences for residents and the commitment of all staff to continuously seek improved outcomes for service users, as well as enabling engagement between residents and the local community.

“Staff demonstrated a sound understanding of the differing needs of the people in their care and reflected these needs when planning and delivering services. This is a great example of what outstanding care looks like.”