A PREVIOUSLY struggling care home in York has turned its fortunes around to be rated as ‘good’ by inspectors.

In recent years, inspectors visiting South Park Care Home in Gale Lane, Acomb, have repeatedly flagged up concerns, rating the home as inadequate and placing it in special measures on one occasion and saying it required improvements on others.

However, the latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission earlier this year (CQC) has praised the care home, saying notable improvements had been made and it is now rated as good overall.

York Press:

At the time of the inspection there were 59 people living at the nursing home and they told inspectors they felt safe and were well cared for.

A report by the CQC reads: “Staff were knowledgeable about people’s individual care needs and care plans were person centred and detailed.

"There was a range of social activities available and people’s spiritual needs were met through in-house services and one-to-one pastoral care when requested.

“People told us that the service was well managed and organised. The registered manager assessed and monitored the quality of care provided to people. People and staff were asked for their views and their suggestions were used to continuously improve the service.”

Tough recruitment checks meant the care home had employed suitable people in sufficient numbers. Medicines were managed safely, the report said.

The mental capacity of residents was appropriately assessed and their rights were protected.

Continual improvements have been made, the report said, adding, “They were able to demonstrate to us at this inspection that sustained improvements had been made and this is reflected in the overall rating of ‘Good’, which has now been achieved.”

South Park Care Home is a purpose built service registered to provide nursing care for older people.

There are two separate units or ‘households’ as the service calls them.

Ebor accommodates up to 44 people with mental health and/or dementia care needs on two floors.

Jorvik accommodates up to 36 people with general nursing needs over three floors.

A spokesperson for Four Seasons Health Care, which runs South Park Care Home, said they were pleased with the outcome of the inspection which, they said, is testament to the dedication of its staff.

They said the home has recently gained accreditation as a specialist dementia care service.

As part of their dementia care training staff are given a simulated experience of what it is like to live with dementia, which improves their understanding and empathy and makes learning of best practice more meaningful.

Samantha Jacob, regional managing director of Four Seasons Health Care, said: “It’s a credit to the dedication of the care team that the home was rated as good overall and for being safe, caring, responsive and well led.

“It is also heartening to see the very positive comments by residents and their relatives and to know the team is so well appreciated.”