Plymouth home wins praise from inspectors

A PLYMOUTH care home has been praised by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission in a new inspection report.

Ernstell House was rated as ‘Good’ across all five inspection criteria –namely, is the service safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

And the new report made special mention of the “relaxed and happy atmosphere” in the home led by the ‘friendly and supportive’ staff.

Home manager Sandra Tucker said she was delighted that Ernstell House had obtained such a positive report from the CQC.

She added: “We’re so pleased to have received this report. Our dedicated staff strive to do everything they can to provide truly personalised and compassionate care for the people who live here.

“Our culture of care and compassion is at the heart of everything we do, that is the key to providing truly person-centred dementia care, and more complex neurological care services.

“I am so proud of the team, and I want to thank them for all of their hard work and commitment. This new CQC report is a real group success.”

The unannounced visit took place at the start of February, and the inspection team spoke with six people who used the service about their experience of the care provided.

They also spoke with nine members of staff including the registered manager, clinical lead and homemakers (carers). They then subsequently spoke with six relatives following the visit.

The busy and varied activity programme in the 64-bedroom home was highlighted.

The gym and the physio rehab equipment at the home was also mentioned by the inspection team, particularly the equipment and adaptations to support the needs of people using the service.

Ernstell House features full en-suite bedrooms throughout, a spacious café bistro, a private dining room, a hair salon and nail bar, activity room/ bar, a cinema, spacious resident lounges, dining rooms and quiet lounges.

“I’m so proud of the team and all of their continuous hard work – we take great pride in delivering the best dishes for the residents here and we’re thrilled to see this recognised with a national award.”

The Public Sector Catering Awards recognise those working in and associated with catering in the UK care sector, as well as within the wider community, including universities, hospitals and armed forces.

Caroline, who joined the home in 2013, received praise for her residentcentred approach, with catering plans constantly evolving to meet each residents’ needs.

Each day Caroline and the catering team provide delicious, nutritious food. The choice and diversity of the menu is driven from feedback from residents to ensure that they are offered meals they want.

As part of its dining experience, the home regularly hosts themed meals and events.

This has included a Valentine’s Day party complete with a three-course gourmet meal and decorated cake to celebrate the couples at Prince George House and their spouses.

Caroline is also committed to the home’s ‘Dining with Dignity’ initiative, where residents with special dietary requirements are fully catered for in a discreet and respectful manner.

The role that Caroline plays in ensuring this is carried out is vital, and includes supporting the training and development of colleagues too.

Judges noted Caroline’s dedication to consistently putting the home’s residents first.

Over the Christmas period in 2021, to ensure residents were kept safe from the transmission of Covid-19 and could be cooked for over the festive season, Caroline’s self-imposed isolation meant that she sacrificed spending Christmas with her family – cooking up quite the storm as she prepared 120 Christmas dinners with the help of a kitchen assistant.