Westmorland Homecare have been awarded an overall “Outstanding” rating by the national industry regulator the Care Quality Commission.
Outstanding is the highest rating awarded by the CQC. The CQC inspect all hospitals, dentists, GP services and care services in the UK.
The report has just been released after an inspection in November and December 2018 which was undertaken with 48hours notice. The care quality commission rate services in 5 domains and then gives an overall rating.
The five domains are:
- Are they safe?
- Are they effective?
- Are they responsive?
- Are they caring?
- Are they well led?
In each domain (and overall) the service can be rated either:
- Inadequate
- Requires improvement
- Good
- Outstanding
Westmorland Homecare have been rated outstanding in every domain and therefore outstanding overall. This is a huge achievement and makes them a national leader in high quality care.
Key findings from the inspection:
Inspectors found that care staff treated people with respect, dignity and compassion. Staff were motivated, passionate and proud of their jobs. People said care staff went the extra mile and the agency put people at the heart of their service.
People were encouraged to be as independent as possible by care staff they trusted and felt safe with. They were supported to lead as good a quality of life as possible. People were never rushed and care staff took the time to support them in the right way.
Regular social activities, events and networks were planned by the agency throughout the year. People who lived in isolation were encouraged to attend and the agency fostered strong links with the local community.
The service was exceptionally well led and is proving to be a leader in the field.
Dr Joshua Macaulay, CEO Westmorland Homecare said: “We are absolutely delighted with the report. This is a fantastic accolade to the dedication and caring nature of our wonderful staff. Our homecare assistants and office team go the extra mile every day and all recognition and praise needs to go to them.”
people who use the service that the inspectors were told and included in the report said:
“They employ exceptionally high-quality staff, some have degrees and others are just very caring and professional”
“They are superb. All staff are exceptionally kind and do anything I ask them to. I wish we have found them sooner”
“Nothing is too big or small, the are willing to help and be flexible”
“They do spend a lot of time with me. They don’t rush off”
“Westmorland Homecare were incredible. The carers were remarkable and every single one treated hi with respect, compassion and dignity”
“Westmorland Homecare have made such a huge difference to our lives”
Of the 16,434 homecare providers registered only 14 have been rated outstanding in every domain
To get an overall rating of outstanding you must be rated outstanding in at least two domains with the rest being at least good
There are no other homecare providers in South Cumbria with an outstanding rating in even a single domain.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. They make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and encourage care services to improve. They monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and publish what they find to help people choose care.
