Luton care home celebrates 'outstanding' CQC rating

A care home in Luton has been awarded an 'outstanding' Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating following its latest inspection review.

Inspectors, who visited the Little Bramingham Farm care home - run by charity Friends of the Elderly - in February, awarded the care home 'good' in safe and effective, and 'outstanding' in caring, responsive and well-led.

The 'outstanding' rating was awarded to the care home as the team showed they are providing the best possible service, support and care for their residents, and have also created a homely, inclusive and happy atmosphere for everyone.

The CQC report said: "People and relatives' feedback was extremely positive and complimentary about the care people received. They all said staff provided very good care to meet people's needs. Everyone said staff were exceptionally caring, kind and friendly.

"Everyone said the staff were very passionate about creating a homely, inclusive and happy atmosphere for people. Relatives said the service was exceptional at promoting a caring environment for everyone, including staff.

"There were robust systems to ensure people were safe. People were protected from harm by staff who were trained to identify and report concerns. People were safe because potential risks to their health and wellbeing had been managed well. There were enough staff to support people safely."

The residents felt they mattered, and staff valued and listened to relatives’ suggestions, concerns and complaints and used this information to continually improve the service.

In addition, there were records about how residents wanted to be supported at the end of their lives and that there was strong leadership within the care home.

One relative said: “You can use Little Bramingham Farm as an example of how a home should be run, we would recommend this to anyone.”

Little Bramingham Farm manager, Emma Lawrance said: “I just want to say how proud I am of the hard work and dedication of the team.

"Staff and residents are delighted that we have been awarded “Outstanding”.

"We believe that our commitment and the family ethos that we hold at Little Bramingham Farm, along with our engagement with the local community, is the key to our success.”

The CQC is the independent regulator of all health and social care in England and has the overall responsibility to register, monitor and inspect all health and care services.

During the review, the inspectors noted that the care home team was highly motivated and had created an atmosphere that promoted mutual compassion and care.

In addition, it was highlighted that the team had developed caring and respectful relationships with residents and relatives and always promoted people's dignity and privacy whilst supporting them to remain as independent as possible.

The inspectors also reported that the care home team provided person-centred and responsive care to residents which was supported by a range of comments from relatives such as how Little Bramingham Farm was “a genuinely a lovely place”.

Rosemary Naylor, Friends of the Elderly’s Care Home Director said: “The Outstanding rating is a true credit to Emma and the team. It was great to have the CQC recognise that our systems ensure our residents are safe and are protected from harm by the team who are all fully trained to identify and report concerns.

“Also, we are all proud that the inspection reflected the fact that our residents are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and that the Little Bramingham team supports them and always acts in their best interests.

"Everyone at the care home works together to support and encourage each other to use creative ways to support our residents to achieve their personal goals and work extremely hard to make sure everyone takes part in a variety of enjoyable activities.

"To hear that one relative said we are an example of how a home should be run, is a great testament to everyone at the care home.”

Emma added: "Since the last inspection, we have grown and grown. We are all strong advocates of Little Bramingham Farm and our commitment to achieving and maintaining high standards; alongside our continued community involvement, are some of the things we are most passionate about.”