A Burnham-On-Sea care home has been rated as ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission and praised for being among the top facilities in the UK.
Beaufort House residential care home in Burnham’s Rectory Road is one of only five of 421 inspected residential care homes across the UK to receive an overall ‘outstanding’ rating following an unannounced two-day inspection.
As well as receiving an overall rating of ‘outstanding’, Beaufort House was rated ‘outstanding’ for its caring and for being well-led. The home’s services were rated ‘good’ for effectiveness, responsiveness and safety.
The CQC report states: “Residents’ well-being and happiness was central, staff had a positive rapport with people and they were gentle, attentive, kind and respectful in their approach. The culture within the service was open, friendly and welcoming. The registered manager was open and transparent in her approach.”
Head of Home Susan Dean, who has worked at Beaufort House for more than 20 years, shares owner he Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI)’s vision for putting people first and said: “I am passionate about making Beaufort House the best place possible for our residents to live and I want it to feel like a family home, rather than a care home.”
The report praised Beaufort House for forging strong links with the local community and helping residents pursue hobbies and pastimes. Residents’ personal histories and achievements were recognised and celebrated with staff ‘doing small acts of kindness’ to support this.
The report also praises the clean and safe environment, the way medicines are managed and administered and the attention to detail given towards end of life care.
It also said: “As the service was a registered charity for people who had worked in agriculture, good wholesome local produce was part of the philosophy of care. The grounds were easily accessible and maintained by a full-time gardener. People mattered and care and attention was given to every small detail.”
Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution chief executive Paul Burrows, who regularly visits Beaufort House, said: “Our ethos as a charity is all about treating people with kindness, compassion, dignity and respect so it’s especially pleasing to be recognised for providing a caring service. Beaufort House is a happy place and that’s down to the people who run and work in the home. We can all expect to live longer nowadays and older people should not be afraid to make the move into residential care.”
Paul Burrows added: “The majority of staff have been with us for a long time and are extremely loyal and supportive. It’s a team effort. We believe in an open culture and it is vital that residents have a say in what goes on I am extremely proud of both R.A.B.I homes – Beaufort House and Manson House in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. I believe they are not just flagships for R.A.B.I but for elderly care in general.”
