Bluegrove House care home praised by care regulator

Bluegrove House care home in Bermondsey, London has been rated outstanding in the responsive category by inspectors from regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Staff were celebrating this week after receiving an overall good rating from the CQC with the home being given the outstanding rating for the activities organised for the residents.

Manager Margaret Atiror was praised for ensuring the activities in the home were tailored to the residents’ wishes, whether it was organising animals to visit the home for residents who used to have their own pets or outings for those living with dementia.

The report said: “The manager arranged with a local cinema to screen movies and this involved training the cinema staff to consider the needs of people with dementia.

“People chose to watch musicals and this event was arranged for them because research showed these styles of movies were particularly engaging for people with dementia.”

The home, which cares for up to 48 residents, was praised by the CQC in their inspection which took place last December. Care homes are now classed as either outstanding, good, requiring improvement or inadequate.

Margaret said everyone at the home was thrilled because they had worked so hard to maintain high standards of care. 

She said: “We all know Bluegrove House is a great place for older people to live but to be given such praise from the regulator is outstanding.

“We are proud of the care we provide, of the meals which are made from fresh seasonal ingredients and of the wide variety of meaningful activities enjoyed by our residents.

“Anchor has informed the Government’s dementia strategy so we also know how to care for people living with the condition so they lead as fulfilling a life as possible. 

“We welcome such rigorous inspections and clear ratings so older people and their families can see which homes are the best in the country. We’re so pleased to be classed as a good care home that we’re holding a party to celebrate this success.”

Resident Helen O’Brien (pictured to Margaret’s left), 77, who has lived at Bluegrove House for two and a half years, said: “I was not surprised at all by the rating and I agree with the inspector – the activities in the home are outstanding.

“The staff are friendly and caring and approachable and they help me feel safe and respected. 
“I like to be as independent as possible but I know that the carers are always there to help me and the kitchen staff provide us with three main meals of good food daily.”

She said that she enjoyed many of the activities at Bluegrove House, particularly the singing and playing percussion instruments, the seated movement to music classes and speaking with the schoolchildren when they visited with their teacher.