Two years after Stow Healthcare purchased Cedars Place in Halstead, Essex, staff and residents are ecstatic to have received an Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission regulators following the home’s first inspection under new ownership.
Previously rated ‘Requires Improvement’ under previous owners, the home suffered from a troubled history, under investment, and lack of leadership. In the report, inspectors noted “Stow Healthcare the new provider, took over the management of the service approximately 2 years ago at a time where the service had struggled to provide a good, rated service. Since taking over the management of the service, the provider has provided strong effective leadership which has transformed the service and the care provided.”
Inspectors rated the home, as ‘outstanding’ overall and outstanding in two of the five categories reviewed. Four out of Stow Healthcare’s eight homes are now rated as ‘Outstanding’, bucking the industry trend with only 2% of care homes in England currently receiving this highly prized rating.
Stow Healthcare Director Ruth French said of the news: “The staff, residents, and families of Cedars Place are ecstatic. We have an excellent team at the home, who have worked so hard to create a warm, loving and vibrant home that the town can be proud of. We are thrilled that the inspectors have recognised the outstanding care we provide at Cedars Place!”
Following the CQC’s unannounced visit in December, the inspectors said in their report: “This was an outstanding service. People and relatives spoke highly of the culture and leadership of the service and the care people received from the staff. The leadership team and staff consistently looked for new opportunities to support people to maximise their quality of life and independence in an exceptional person-centred way.”
Home Manager Judith Morgan Worrall said of her staff: “Having joined team Cedars Place at the beginning of 2022, it has been amazing to see the commitment and dedication of everyone at home to drive forward change and improve the lives of our residents. I am incredibly proud of the team and everyone’s contribution to this fantastic rating.”
Feedback about the management captured by the report states: “Staff told us they felt valued by the management team. One member of staff said, “The registered manager is amazing, I have learned so much from all of the management team. They are always there if I need them.” Another member of staff said, “The management is there for you, I can ask them anything they are so supportive.”
Local MP and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said of the report: “I was delighted to hear that Cedars Place Care Home has been rated ‘Outstanding’ overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), following an inspection in December last year. I pay tribute to the fantastic, dedicated staff of Cedars Place and Stow Healthcare who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.”
Essex County Council Head of Provider Quality Sam Crawford acknowledged the fantastic news that Stow Healthcare has achieved an ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating saying: “This is to the credit of Stow Healthcare who have embarked on a journey of continuous improvement; the strong leadership, dedicated staff team and commitment to providing excellent care to the residents of the home, is evident throughout the inspection report.”
Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, which represents care providers across the UK said: “The award of an outstanding rating to Cedars Place is a fantastic achievement and represents the hard work and commitment of all the staff and the partnership that Stow Healthcare has developed with residents, families, and the local community.”
This success follows hot on the heels of a double national award for the group, who were recently named ‘Care Group of the Year’ at two national awards for the second consecutive year.
