Sheffield care home is praised by inspectors and residents

People living in the Hackenthorpe home - one of 10 city properties operated by Sheffield charity Sheffcare - told inspectors from the CQC that staff were lovely and kind.

Relatives too were satisfied, with one commenting: “The best thing is, I know my relative is safe and well cared for so I can relax at last."

During their unannounced visit, inspectors noted that staff treated residents with kindness, dignity and respect.

The CQC, the independent regulator of health and social care for England, visited the home in Four Wells Drive and rated it good in all five main areas - safety, caring, effectiveness of service, levels of response and leadership.

Cotleigh can accommodate up to 62 people and at the time of the March inspection there were 54 people using the service, some living in the home’s dementia unit.

“Staff knew people well and they were responsive to people’s individual needs,” the report noted, adding that the team also welcomed people’s relatives in to maintain important relationships.

“People were supported to take part in a range of activities, to help them remain meaningfully occupied,” the inspectors said.

“Residents were encouraged to develop positive relationships with each other, people told us they had made friends within the home and we observed people enjoyed spending time with each other.”

The inspectors also noted that an electronic care planning system supported staff to regularly review the care and support people needed.

“Staff supported people to access other health and social care professionals and they acted on any advice they were given,” the inspectors said.

“People were supported to eat and drink enough, and people’s special dietary requirements were catered for.

“People were happy with the quality of the care they received, they felt safe and they were protected from the risk of abuse.

“Risks to people were assessed and staff were knowledgeable about how to support people to remain safe.

“All staff received training in infection control and they had access to suitable equipment to help prevent the spread of infection.”

Sheffcare Chief Executive Belinda Black said: “We are absolutely delighted by the CQC’s response to the hard work and dedication that our Cotleigh staff display every day.

“What is even more important to us is that our residents and their families also recognise that the comfort and safety of our residents is our top priority.

“Even at this difficult time, Sheffcare takes great pride in maintaining the highest standards and this latest CQC report is a fantastic tribute to our staff, the people who really do go the extra mile for our residents.”