Nursing home rated ‘outstanding’ by CQC

The Mews, Rochdale, has been awarded a CQC rating of 'Outstanding'

A nursing home has been rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an unannounced inspection in March.

The Mews, on Fenton Street, provides accommodation, personal and nursing care, and support to young people with disabilities. The service has 50 single bedrooms and there were 48 people living in the service at the time of inspection.

CQC officials found there was a “culture of openness and transparency” at the service, which was described as “homely.”

The inspectors found there was a ‘real sense of community’ throughout the service; people who used the service were stimulated with a wide range of activities, their needs were addressed and they appeared content. They got on well with staff and were well supported.

The staff who inspectors spoke with enjoyed working at The Mews, feeling a sense of fulfilment. Most of the people working there had done so for a long time, with very little staff turnover.

Staff were extremely positive about the people they supported, and “nothing seemed to be too much trouble” for them. Staff were well-trained and there were enough staff members to meet people’s needs across all three units of the care home.  They were described as “very kind, caring and compassionate” who “routinely went above and beyond what was expected to provide people with excellent, high quality care.”

There were few allegations of abuse, and those that were raised were taken seriously and fully investigated. Overall, people were safe and well-cared for with good communication between patients and staff. Service users had made friends and enjoyed living at the Mews.

Clear procedures were in place to protect people without limiting their independence and individuals were encouraged maintain their own lifestyle and hobbies.

Mealtimes were described as “a merry and social occasion” with attention to dietary needs, and support plans had been planned, developed and agreed proactively with the service users.

There were high levels of confidence in management and leadership. The registered manager, Martin Donovan, was ‘respected by staff and service users’ and was “equally supported by a strong staff team who shares his values.” He was ‘always visible and available to listen to people and their relatives and make them feel like they mattered.’

Extensive quality assurance systems were in place and fully utilised, with a strong emphasis on continually striving to improve.

Mr Donovan said: "We are now in the top 1% of nursing homes in the country and the only nursing home in Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton with this achievement."

The Mews changed ownership in 2017 and is now operated by East And West Healthcare Limited, based in Nottingham.