Sunderland Echo

Care home’s rating boost is ‘good' news

- Sam Johnson samuel.johnson@jpress.co.uk @ThatSamJJo­hnson

A Wa s h i n g to n c a re h o m e which has been rated as “inadequate” or “requiring improvemen­t” for the last 10 years has been upgraded to “good” one year after a new management team took over.

Donwell Care Home, in Donwell Village, received the news after an inspection from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in August, receiving “good”in allfive areas of inspection - safe, effective, responsive, caring and well led.

The management team, led by Victoria Leighton, took over the home in September 2019. Victoria said they immediatel­y brought in a number of changes to improve the facility.

Donwell Care Home, Washington.

Changes highlighte­d by the CQC included more staff training, improved care files, resident input in meals and increased contact with family.

V i c t o r i a s a i d : “We a re thrilled to have received a Good rating by the Care Quality Inspection. Our people-centred approach creates a home-like environmen­t where people are happy to live in. I am ecstatic for the home to have received this acknowledg­ement especially through the difficult times we have come up against through the pandemic”.

During the coronaviru­s lockdown, care home manager Victoria was praised for goingabove­andbeyondt­oensure the safety of residents by staying isolated and not seeing her children.

Throughout lockdown, the home has also been supporting residents through an extremely difficult time and has not reported a single coronaviru­s case.

Donwell Care Home, which is part of the Bondcare group, provides accommodat­ion for up to 63 people and services include residentia­l, nursing, dementia and palliative care.

 ??  ?? Manager of Donwell Care Home, Victoria Leighton.
Manager of Donwell Care Home, Victoria Leighton.

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