Silverleigh in Axminster, Devon, was rated outstanding for being responsive and well-led following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), on 3, 5 & 6 February 2020.
The safe, effective, and caring categories received a score of Good.
Silverleigh provides accommodation, nursing and personal care for up to 65 people. The service is intended for older people, who may also have a physical disability, mental health needs or a dementia type illness.
The service was exceedingly responsive. Staff promoted inclusion and empowered people to do activities, hobbies and interests which gave them a feeling of well-being and being valued. People and relatives talked with enthusiasm about the activities at the home. For example, a relative asked about companionship for a person when they met with the activity team. As a result, twice a week the person went to the sea front and to a local pub for a pint with a staff member. Another resident had a set routine before coming to Silverleigh which included taking a 45-minute walk twice a day and swimming twice a week, which staff have continued to facilitate.
People received an excellent quality of care because the provider and management team set high expectations about standards of care and led by example. The new highly motivated registered manager had transferred from one of the provider's other homes where they had headed a team which achieved an outstanding rating with CQC in their last two inspections. They had also won a bronze award in the Proud to Care Devon and Cornwall awards in the registered manager category. They had worked for the provider for over 12 years and shared the provider's vision and values of providing people with high-quality person centred care. Carrie Anne Pitts, the registered manager was immensely proud of the home. They said, "What makes us different is that the residents are the heart of Silverleigh, this is their home and we are coming to visit them. We respect and value every resident as an individual and strive as a home to get better and better."
