"Everyone has put in a lot of hard work to ensure we offer a home-from-home to all residents and their families, and the whole team is really proud of their achievements."
Sharlene Van Tonder
The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) report gave Care UK’s Glastonbury Court care home, on Glastonbury Road, an overall ‘Outstanding’ rating, following an unannounced inspection.
The care home was rated ‘Outstanding’ in two categories, including leadership and responsiveness, and ‘Good’ in safety, caring and effectiveness.
Inspectors highlighted the positive and caring relationships seen throughout the inspection, the team knew everyone very well and could adapt their communication style and approach to meet the needs of each resident.
The CQC inspectors noted that there was a ‘shared ownership and passion’ across the whole team to ensure all residents enjoyed a fulfilling life. Examples of popular activities included: pet therapy sessions, visits from local Brownie’s and a nursery school, a gardening club and rickshaw rides around the local town.
The report stated that team members showed a willingness to try different things to ensure they connected with residents. In recognition of many residents backgrounds in the armed forces, the home had been visited by the local army division. Residents said they enjoyed this, and one person commented: “We had the military boys [Anglian Regiment Army] in full uniform come and see us, that brought back some memories.”
The home features its very own pub, the Sherlock Holmes, complete with a small bar, a selection of drinks and plenty of tables and chairs for residents to spend time chatting and enjoying their favourite tipple. The inspectors noted that this space had proved particularly popular with residents who were reluctant to leave the home but still wanted to enjoy the social experience.
The report noted that Glastonbury Court was exceptionally well led and managed. The manager, Sharlene Van Tonder, is supported by an effective senior team, all of whom were described as ‘dedicated, passionate and highly motivated’. They shared Care UK’s commitment to ensuring residents were at the heart of everything, and this resulted in an enabling person-centred culture within the home that consistently delivered positive outcomes for residents.
The report also noted that team members were skilled in caring for people when it came towards the end of their lives. Within the home, thank you cards were displayed from relatives and friends, expressing gratitude to the team members for the sensitive care shown towards them and their family members during their final days. The home also features the ‘Sunset Suite’, which has been specially designed to be a tranquil area within the home, where relatives can stay during their loved ones final days.
Feedback from relatives and residents was extremely complimentary, including: “Home from home”, “one of the best places”, “wouldn’t go anywhere else, the place is fantastic”.
Sharlene Van Tonder, home manager at Glastonbury Court, said: “Everyone has put in a lot of hard work to ensure we offer a home-from-home to all residents and their families, and the whole team is really proud of their achievements.
“Receiving an ‘Outstanding’ rating shows just how dedicated the team is to looking after every individual’s needs, and we will continue our hard work to ensure residents receive compassionate, person-centred care. I am incredibly proud that Glastonbury Court has been rated ‘Outstanding’ for its leadership and responsiveness, and would like to say thank you to the team for their dedication, which I know is also greatly appreciated by residents and their families.”
To assess service standards at Glastonbury Court, 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.
Glastonbury Court is a modern care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable the residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.
For more information on Glastonbury Court, please call senior business administrator, Lottie Linton on 01284 848 709, or email lottie.linton@careuk.com
For general information, please visit: careuk.com/glastonbury-court
