The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has upgraded the rating of Choices for Living Well (Killelea) in Bury, Greater Manchester from good to outstanding following an inspection from 12 to 24 November.
Choices for Living Well (Killelea), run by Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, is a purpose built 36 bed rehabilitation service. It has a focus on regaining people’s daily living skills, increasing confidence and maximising independence following a hospital admission or crisis at home.
CQC carried out the inspection as part of its ongoing monitoring of services.
CQC has improved the rating from good to outstanding for being effective and caring. It has been re-rated as good for being safe, responsive and well-led.
Victoria Marsden, CQC’s deputy director of adult social care for the north, said:
“When we inspected Choices for Living Well (Killelea), we were delighted to find an exceptional service, where people were being treated by kind and compassionate staff throughout their rehabilitation journey.
“We heard how a member of staff had gone above and beyond to support someone who wanted to attend a funeral for a loved one. The person was upset as they thought they couldn’t go due to needing oxygen and accessible transport. However, the staff member recognised the emotional impact it was having on the person, so used their own wheelchair adapted car and ensured oxygen was available if required so the person could attend.
“Other people told us carers are brilliant, they have a good laugh, and it’s a bit like a holiday camp at times! This shows what an amazing service this is and how happy people are with the support they are receiving.
“The service also had a partnership with a local café bar. This meant people receiving support could access the café with family and friends. A relative told us that their loved one had started to eat food again, after being in hospital and finding the food unappetising and tasteless.
“Overall, staff and leaders should be incredibly proud of the ethos and culture they have created to ensure people get the very best care outcomes and certainly deserve the positive feedback we received from people, their relatives and external partners.”
Inspectors found:
- Leaders worked well with NHS professionals to provide high quality care to people. One told CQC they would be happy to have a loved one, or even themselves staying at Killelea due to the outstanding care being provided.
- The service made sure staff were able to access relevant and up-to-date information which avoided duplication and meant people only needed to tell their story once wherever possible.
- Staff made sure people were supported to live healthier lives. For example, during Falls Prevention Week, staff delivered a structured programme of falls prevention activities to educate people around falls and build their confidence around their mobility.
- The service cared about and promoted the wellbeing of staff. An employee of the month celebration took place, and staff had access to a variety of workplace benefits to help support them.