The Fire Fighters Charity’s nursing team has been rated as ‘Outstanding’ in a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission.
Based at the Charity’s Jubilee House centre in Penrith, the dedicated nursing team provides round-the-clock specialist care to beneficiaries with a wide range of needs. From helping them to independently engage with a structured programme of support, to providing care and support, which in turn provides a much-needed break for carers.
The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. An inspector visited Jubilee House in June to visit the team, who provide personal and nursing care for people with life-limiting conditions or injuries.
Writing in her report, the inspector said: “People who stayed here received extremely high-quality, personalised support from an exceptionally well-led service.
“People said the service was ‘life changing’ and ‘amazing’ in successfully helping them to learn skills to manage their conditions, as well as enjoying a very fulfilling and sociable short break.”
Having taken the time to speak with beneficiaries, she could see the genuinely positive impact their time at the centre has on both their physical and psychological wellbeing: “The service was exceptional at helping people achieve positive outcomes and building confidence and independence.”
She also praised the ‘full commitment’ of ‘kind, considerate and empathetic’ staff in providing a person-centred service.
“People and their relatives told us the service provided care that was exceptional and contrasted dramatically from any other provision they had experienced,” continued the report. “People said the service made a remarkable difference to their independence. The service provided bespoke therapeutic support and superb resources and equipment for people to gain new skills and become more independent, even after they had returned home.”
The Fire Fighters Charity, Director of Beneficiary Services, Sharon Bailey said: “We are delighted to have received an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the CQC. I have been privileged to watch the service develop over the years and I am proud of every individual who has made this rating possible.
“This rating acknowledges and recognises the hard work that Nursing Services Lead Kath Savage, our nurses, clinical assistants and all the team at Jubilee House do in ensuring our beneficiaries receive the exceptional care they deserve.”
The Fire Fighters Charity offers specialist, lifelong support for members of the UK fire services community, empowering individuals to achieve mental, physical and social wellbeing throughout their lives.
The Fire Fighters Charity is reliant on donations from the fire and rescue community and general public to meet the £9m cost of operating its centre and community-based services to support over 55,000 members of the UK’s fire and rescue services and their dependants, as well as the retired fire services community.
