CQC heaps praise on the amazing job our staff are doing W e know what a fantastic job our staff — across all of our centres — are doing as they battle Covid-19. But it was also nice to see some official recognition from the body that regulates social care, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). After our recent appearance on a television broadcast on caring for Covid-19 patients in nursing homes, Sue Howard, who is Deputy Chief Inspector with the Adult Social Care Directorate in the Care Quality Commission, wrote to say:
“I was so impressed by your positivity to the Designated Schemes and how brilliantly well your staff have used this process to support, I think you said, 75 people. It was so great to hear you say, “we’re all in this together”. I personally have seen improved working between Health and Social care during the pandemic and your appearance this morning was a great example and can only enhance and improve that. Please can you thank all of your staff on my behalf for their continued dedication to the people they care for and support?”
I was so proud to get that feedback from a highranking official within the CQC and I also add my thanks to you all for the way you have worked as a team to get our centres through the challenges of the past 10 months. I know we aren’t through this yet and we must all stay alert to the dangers. I am delighted that all of our residents and staff have now had the first Covid-19 vaccination and that some have had the second dose too. We are making fantastic progress and our hard work, commitment and dedication is paying dividends. But we must stay on our guard—observe the rules of hands, face, space and provide the best of care to our residents and our colleagues. Mike Padgham, Managing Director.
Brave Dale fights care home fire Dale Bowman sprang into action when a fire broke out at the care home. As residents were evacuated, Registered Manager Dale tackled the fire in a bedroom with two fire extinguishers. He also scrambled under smoke to unplug the electric fire thought to have started the fire. The occupant was taken to safety and then for a check-up at hospital. Nobody else was hurt and after the fire was extinguished all residents were able to safely return to the building. A fire engine attended and fire fighters ensured the fire was out and ventilated the building. Graeme Casper, who is Station Manager at Scarborough Fire Station, commending you all on the actions taken – praise doesn’t come much higher than that! It is thought a ventilation hole on the fire had been blocked, causing the fire. All similar electric fires across our centres have now been removed, as a precaution.