August 2009
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David taking legal advice over grade By Dominic Musgrave AN angry owner who spent £400,000 improving his Bradford care home says he is taking legal advice after his CQC star rating dropped from two to one. Crabtree Care Homes owner David Crabtree is appealing the grade following the inspection at Sunningdale, which saw the facility downgraded to an ‘adequate’ despite only being given a one star in one element of his report. He says this was down to his deputy manager failing to book some medication in correctly, and claims the lower grading could cost him up to £500,000 in lost revenue. David added: “The economic effect this rating will have on Sunningdale will be devastating, and the possible loss of referrals will mean loss of jobs and loss of investment for my residents. “If I ever looked at selling it I wouldn’t get what it is worth because any possible buyers would struggle to borrow the required money and would tell me that they are only buying a one-star home. “To me the three-star system doesn’t work. When I speak at conferences I
say that three stars is a bed and breakfast in Blackpool, so how can I be good in every element except one and only be one star.” He is now appealing to other home owners to call for the inspection process to be transformed. He added: “I am appealing for all home owners to get behind this because we don’t have to put up with this. There is enough of us say we are not putting up with it, and the system only works if we allow it to. “Only banks seem to look at star ratings anyway, but it will affect me because if I go to them and ask if I can borrow some money to invest in the home, they are likely to turn around and say they are not sure given that we are only ‘adequate’. “Social workers don’t look at the website with the reports on, and the local council does its own quality rating anyway. “And the head of social services at the council’s father is a resident in my home because they think it is so good.” I Do you agree with David that the system needs to change? Let Dominic Musgrave know by ringing 01226 734407 or email dm@whpl.net
Home opts for theme wings ...
Care home worker Luke Bolwell-Williams swapped catheters for the catwalk when he competed in the final of Mister Wales 2009. Luke, a carer at Luk Ros Bungalow in Blackwood, became a Gwent finalist before going on to strut his stuff against hunks from across the country. He said: “The other staff and relatives have been really supportive but I don’t think the residents really understood what was going on.”
A HAMPSHIRE dementia care home has themed its wings to help the residents identify where their bedrooms are. The staff at Birchy Hill near Sway have just completed the first wing, giving it a beach theme complete with the beach, Punch and Judy, sandcastles and beach huts. And activities organiser Heather Fleat, who came up with the idea, told Caring UK that work has begun on decorating the second section of the 70-bed home, which will have a garden theme. She added: “The wings were originally painted in the primary colours, but some of the residents were unsure about where they should go. We decided that it would help them if we redecorated the corridors with different scenes, still using bright colours, and hopefully it will help them to identify where they are better.”