The Care Quality Commission has found the quality of care provided by Dulas Court, in Ewyas Harold, Hereford, to be Outstanding overall following an inspection carried out in July.
Dulas Court provides accommodation and personal care for up to 31 people. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people living at the home and one person receiving respite.
Inspectors found staff were caring and compassionate and people were being provided with safe, responsive, caring, effective and well-led care. A full report of the inspection has been published.
Under CQC’s new programme of inspections, all adult social care services are being given a rating according to whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. Dulas Court was rated Outstanding overall, Outstanding for being responsive and well-led and Good for being caring, effective and safe.
Deb Holland, CQC’s Head of Inspection for Adult Social Care in the central region said:
“Our inspection team were impressed by the level of care and support observed at Dulas Court.
“People received person centred care that maintained their health and wellbeing. They told us that they felt supported to keep their interests and hobbies. The provider looked at creative ways in which they could recognise and reflect people's life histories and interests.
“One person had done carpentry before living in Dulas Court and had wished to carry this on. Staff supported the person to source wood and also helped to get projects for them to do. This had included bird tables and furniture some of which were in the garden for people to use. The person told us that they had also sold some items they had made at a recent fete that the home held to raise money for the 'residents' fund.' They told us that they found this very rewarding.
“The provider was innovative in the use of new technology and adaptations to minimise the impact of dementia on people's independence and wellbeing.
“For example, specifically designed furniture was in people's bedrooms. This allowed people to choose what they wanted to wear and then staff could place the clothes in a wardrobe that had an open design so the person could immediately locate the clothing that had been chosen the following morning independently.
“All of this meant people received a high standard of care, which is why it has been rated Outstanding.”
Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, said:
“The quality of care which our inspectors found here was exceptional and I am very pleased that we can celebrate the service’s achievements.
“An outstanding service is the result of a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment. I would like to thank and congratulate everyone involved.”
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The provider looked at creative ways in which they could recognise and reflect people's life histories and interests.
Deb Holland, Head of Inspection for Adult Social Care, central region