The Old Hall in Sleaford, Lincolnshire has been rated outstanding by healthcare regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Inspectors visited The Old Hall in the period 29 January to 5 February 201925 January 2019 and rated the care homeas outstanding in all five key areas.
The Old Hallis a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to people aged 65 and over.
CQC inspectors noted that since their last inspection, the provider had undertaken a major reorganisation and expansion of the care and support staffing resources in the home. The provider had increased the size of the activities team by more than 300 per cent, from 35 weekly hours to 107.
With a new job description and title, there were now five 'well-being therapists' employed in the home, working seven days a week, focused solely on providing people with emotional and psychological support to promote and maintain their well-being and happiness.
Describing the thinking behind this very significant investment in the welfare of the people living in the home, the registered manager said, "I realised I had to put another team on, to look after the psychological side. People need time. They need someone to say, 'let's go out'; 'let's talk about this' and 'let's learn about this'. I know everyone is going to get excellent physical care andnow psychological care is provided in the same way." One of the well-being therapists told us, "We focus on body and mind together."
Also, since their previous inspection, the people living in the home had requested, and acquired, a dog. The affectionate and well-trained Cavalier King James spaniel has had a profoundly positive impact on the health and well-being of the people living in the home.
Commenting on this exceptionally effective initiative, the registered manager told us, "It is the best thing we have ever done.”
At the time of the inspection there was a sign in the dining room with a quote from author Maya Angelou. It stated, 'People will forget what you said and forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel." Reflecting this ethos, every person inspector’s spoke with mentioned the exceptional kindness they had experienced at The Old Hall and how good this made them feel.
One resident said, "I have been here for four years now and have never regretted it. You feel as though you are not only cared for but really loved. I want to spend the rest of my days here as I couldn't wish for anything more."