Outstanding! Eighth Colten Care Home Achieves Highest Possible Rating

A south coast care home has become the eighth Colten Care home to be officially rated Outstanding by independent inspectors.

Sector regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC) says other care services should look to its report on Avon Reach in Mudeford, Christchurch, to see what they can learn.

While fewer than one in 20 care homes in England achieve the highest grade possible, the proportion of Outstanding homes at Colten Care is now almost one in two. This is higher than any other provider in England on a like-for-like basis.

Neil Cox, the CQC’s deputy director of adult social care in Dorset, said:

 “This is a service built around treating people as individuals, and helping them live full lives, not just receive care. Other services should look to this report to see what they can learn.”

The report explains how a resident who moved into the home having lost the ability to walk was enabled to regain enough strength and confidence to walk 200 metres unaided.

One external healthcare professional is quoted as saying Avon Reach was one of the best homes they had ever visited.

Colten Care Chief Executive Mark Aitchison said:

“One Outstanding rating is rare. Achieving it across eight of our 21 homes says something much bigger about Colten Care. This report shows that our consistently high standards of care translate directly into a better quality of life for residents."

"The fact that independent inspectors are explicitly telling other services to learn from this latest example demonstrates that Colten Care is truly setting the standard for others to follow.”

The 48-page report describes how residents at Avon Reach are not defined by age or changing needs. They retain independence, relationships and lifelong interests, fulfil ambitions and experience a better quality of life, underpinned by clinical expertise.

The Outstanding rating follows other independent recognition of Colten Care’s success. The provider was last year named the UK’s best medium-sized care home group at the National Care Awards and this year Colten Care teams and individuals are finalists in a record-equaling six categories.

Colten Care also has a consistently high group score of 9.9 out of ten on the UK public review site Carehome.co.uk.

Mark added:

“All these independent endorsements demonstrate the reasons we can justifiably claim that, for our size, we are the highest-rated care home group in England, if not the UK.”

Avon Reach gained particular praise from CQC for being ‘effective’, ‘caring’ and ‘well led’ with team members demonstrating ‘exceptional practice across several areas’. Feedback from residents and families is described as ‘overwhelmingly positive’.

Ruth Wildman, Home Manager, said she was “incredibly proud of the whole team at Avon Reach”, adding:

“The team’s dedication, hard work and commitment have been recognised in such a fantastic way. This achievement is thoroughly deserved and reflects the exceptional contribution every team member makes each day.”

Colleague Amy McCormick, Clinical Lead, said it was clear recognition of the home’s “culture for learning which empowers staff to give great individual care.”

Among residents, Elvia Green said: “The staff are kindness itself.”

Relatives and friends have begun sending in cards and messages of congratulations. One wrote:

“Such well-deserved recognition which reflects the brilliant home you create. Thank you to every single staff member for your hard work and the high standard of support you provide each resident.”

As with all Colten Care homes, Avon Reach is complemented by a Ringwood-based head office team that includes departments focused on operational support, learning and development, clinical quality, hospitality and catering, maintenance, refurbishment and gardening.

Elaine Farrer, Colten Care’s Chief Operating Officer, said:

“This fantastic achievement is testimony to our whole team approach. Ruth and everyone at Avon Reach have worked amazingly hard along with central support colleagues."

The report clearly showcases the journey we have all have been on together and the passion and commitment shown to residents and families at Avon Reach.”

Colten Care’s other Outstanding-rated homes are Abbey View in Sherborne, Amberwood House in Ferndown, Canford Chase in Poole, Fernhill in Longham, Kingfishers in New Milton, Linden House in Lymington and Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst.