April 2017
no.246 • £4.75 incorporating
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Survey reveals record-high satisfaction
By Dominic Musgrave
THE UK’s largest and most authoritative survey of care home standards has revealed the highest level of resident satisfaction since it began in 2012. The survey, conducted by market research organisation Ipsos MORI, questioned over 18,000 residents across 988 homes and 33 providers, resulting in the highest-ever average overall performance rating of 880 out of 1,000. For the 2016 Your Care Rating survey its scope was expanded to include the views of residents’ family and friends, as well as the residents themselves. Almost 11,000 took part in the Family and Friends survey, across 650 homes, producing an average OPR of 828 out of 1,000. The Your Care Rating survey not only looks at the performance of individual care homes but, due to its reach, is able to identify how specific regions of the UK as a whole perform, giving them an average OPR as well. Scottish care homes were awarded the highest average OPR this year by their residents, with a score of 897 out of 1,000. For the first time since the survey started in 2012, the maximum score has been achieved. Two smaller homes (20 or fewer residents) in Kent – Marlborough House in Folkestone and Rectory
House in Harrietsham, managed by Embrace Group, scored full marks across all four categories: Staff and Care, Home Comforts, Choice and Having a Say and Quality of Life. De Lucy House in Diss, Norfolk managed by Greensleeves Homes Trust, was awarded the highest score in the Family and Friends’ survey with an OPR of 973. The Family and Friends survey this year shows that the area respondents were most happy about in relation to their loved ones was the quality of life, with an average score of 890. Douglas Quinn, chairman of Your Care Rating, said: “The care home sector is often perceived negatively, but over 29,000 respondents, including relatives and friends of residents, as well as the residents themselves, across the UK have given overwhelmingly positive responses in the Your Care Rating survey. Life for these care home residents is generally happy and fulfilling and what’s more, their family and friends think so too. “This year’s results have set a new standard for care homes taking part in the Your Care Rating survey, and since we launched in 2012 we have seen the standards driven higher and higher. We cannot, however, be complacent and must always strive to make care homes the best they can be for the residents and their loved ones.”
Celebrity judge Robert Rinder spoke to 150 guests who enjoyed a fundraising evening in the Wohl Synagogue at the Betty and Asher Loftus Centre. The evening was organised by Jewish Care’s Friends of Lady Sarah Cohen House Committee, raising £4,000 for the home in Friern Barnet. The well-known criminal barrister, who recently took part in Strictly Come Dancing, spoke enthusiastically about his support for the work that Jewish Care does supporting older people in the Jewish community.
Enter your home for free in our all-new accolades CARE homes across the country are being urged to come forward and shout about what they’re good at, with an all-new industry awards celebration. The Caring UK Awards were founded by Script Media, owners of Caring UK magazine, and are completely free to enter. The awards aim to provide something for every type of facility and care team. Categories include: Care Home of the Year, Activities Team of the Year, Commitment to Training and Development, Care Team of the Year, Dementia Care Team, Retirement Village of the Year, End of Life, Volunteer Team of the Year, Management Team of the
Year, Best Innovation in Care, Care Employer of the Year, Care Group of the Year, Catering Team of the Year and Quality in Housekeeping. The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to someone who has dedicated their working life to the industry, and who has, as a result, made a long-term outstanding contribution. The awards will be presented at the care industry’s biggest end of year party, on Friday December 8 at The National Railway Museum in York. If you’re part of a first class team, or your care home is the best at what it does this is your time to be recognised. n Full entry details on page 26.