Swallow Lodge received glowing CQC report
Swallow Lodge has received a glowing Care report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care.
“Relatives felt their views and opinions about their family member’s care were listened to.”
Our North Hykeham, Lincolnshire, respite accommodation for people with learning disabilities received ‘good’ ratings in every area measured by the CQC, the independent regulator of health and social care.
The report, which was produced after an inspection in October, has upgraded leadership from ‘requiring improvement’ to ‘good’. Manager Carl Jones took over the running of Swallow Lodge in October 2017, and the latest report notes that the service “was well led, the registered manager was visible and supportive towards the people in their care, their relatives and the staff who worked at the service.”
Carl said: “The inspectors spent several hours touring the service, speaking to service users and their families, observing staff interactions and examining paperwork. The report reflects the time they spent within Swallow Lodge and it’s really captured the essence of the support we give. It’s all very positive and a good reflection of the service we provide. I’m very proud of our team, who consistently provide a very high standard of service every day.”
The CQC report isn’t the only official body to recognise Carl’s successful leadership. Since taking over at Swallow Lodge, he has been accepted onto the National Care Forum’s prestigious Rising Star mentoring programme, one of only 11 across the UK, and been shortlisted for leadership and management awards in the National Care Awards and Great British Care Awards.
Carl’s approach has earned praise from the CQC inspectors, who noted that “People were treated with kindness and care by staff who supported them with respect and dignity,” “staff developed positive relationships with people in their care,” and “relatives felt their views and opinions about their family member’s care were listened to.”
The CQC rates facilities in five areas: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. Ratings range from ‘inadequate’, ‘requires improvement’, ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’.
And, according to Carl, Swallow Lodge is on course to achieve an outstanding rating at the next inspection. “I asked would we achieve outstanding as there was nothing negative on the report,” he said. “It’s a simple matter of consistency – if we can demonstrate that we are continuing to deliver the same very high quality service, then we are likely to be rated outstanding next time.”
Zoe Ayliff, area manager, Making Space, said: " I am very pleased with the constant progression at Swallow Lodge. They are such a caring and committed team, with great leadership. This is why they are able to continually deliver a high standard of care and support."
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