The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has given its highest rating of outstanding to the Research Institute for the Care of Older People (RICE) in Bath.
RICE conducts clinical research into dementia and related conditions including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease and also provides a memory clinic to enable the diagnosis of dementia and identify or supplement treatment options.
CQC carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of the regulated activities carried out by the service in November. This was the first inspection of the service since it registered with CQC.
Following the inspection, the service is rated outstanding overall, outstanding for being well-led and caring, and good for being safe, effective and responsive.
Neil Cox, CQC’s head of inspection for primary medical services, said:
“The Research Institute for the Care of Older People is an exceptional, innovative service. Leaders and staff are recognised experts in the field of dementia diagnosis, care and treatment. People using the service are treated with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect and staff involve them in planning their own care.
“A diagnosis of dementia can be extremely distressing for people and their families. At RICE people were given access to treatments or therapies which have been shown to reduce the expected decline from dementia, allowing them to retain their independence and enjoy a good quality of life for as long as possible. As this is a major worry for people with this type of diagnosis, the impact of this on them and their families was profoundly positive.
“It was impressive that people were treated as experts of their own condition, and their feedback is being used to help design bespoke treatment plans. For example, some people who have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment, are being encouraged to record their thoughts, concerns and frustrations in a video diary. Carers could then watch the diaries to help them understand what living with dementia feels like and use this insight to care for people more effectively and compassionately.
“RICE also shared learning with local GPs, hospital clinicians, pharmacists and medical students to encourage continuous improvement, not just at RICE but elsewhere. When we inspected, there were two GPs working part-time at the clinic to help enhance their skills in diagnosis and support for people living with dementia when they return to their own clinics.
“The team at RICE is thoroughly deserving of this outstanding rating. I would encourage all healthcare professionals, especially those working in the field of dementia, to read the report and learn from this exemplar service."
Inspectors found the following during this inspection:
- The leadership, management and governance of the organisation assures the delivery of high-quality and person-centred care, supports learning and innovation, and promotes an open and fair culture
- Staff were recognised experts in the field of dementia diagnosis, care and treatment. Patients experienced an effective holistic and evidence-based needs assessment, care and treatment at the clinic resulting from leading research carried out there
- The service provides support services to help reduce distress, agitation, disorientation and anxiety for patients with dementia and to support their families and carers. Feedback from patients and their carers obtained every year since 1987, was consistently rated as high for compassionate care
- Staff felt respected, supported and valued and were proud to work for the service
- Staff empowered patients, families and carers, providing a rolling programme of support groups to understand their condition, make decisions about their care, treatment and support they needed
- Staff were exceptional in enabling patients to retain their independence providing courses to improve quality of living with dementia, for example ways to stimulate memory and function
- RICE initiated and took part in global research studies to develop effective treatments for dementia and related conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
- The service led quality improvement initiatives at national and international levels with the aim of enhancing the lives of people living with dementia and providing support to their carers
- Staff had gone the extra mile during the COVID-19 pandemic to support patients and their carers. Home visits were carried out, with the appropriate protection in place, and additional telephone calls made, to provide support for vulnerable patients.
Full details of the inspection are given in the report published on our website.
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