Widnes Hall care home praised by care regulator

Activities at a care home in Widnes has been rated outstanding by inspectors from regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Staff at Anchor’s Widnes Hall in Coronation Drive, Ditton, were celebrating this week after receiving an overall good rating from the CQC with the responsive category receiving top marks.

The home was praised by the CQC in their inspection which took place on February this year. Care homes are now classed as either outstanding, good, requiring improvement or inadequate.

Home Manager Marie Parkinson said everyone at the home was thrilled because they had worked so hard to maintain high standards of care. She said: “We all know Widnes Hall 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."

“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.”

The CQC inspection report, which can be found on the regulator’s website, praised the home’s activity champions for their “incredible passion for ensuring residents pursue their interests and hobbies” with the activities being “above what would normally be offered in a care home”.

The inspectors were impressed with the home’s use of virtual reality headsets and the home’s Letters of Kindness scheme where residents are sent postcards. The inspectors said: “Taking part in this brought a great deal of joy and conversations among the people who received them and helped combat loneliness and isolation”.

Summing up, the report said Widnes Hall had an “exceptionally strong and visible person-centred culture with staff going out of their way to ensure that people were respected as individuals.”

Resident Jim Whittle praised the team at Widnes Hall for the care they provide. He said: “The staff here are superb. They always look after me and Cath the Chef Manager deserves a medal as the food is so good.”

For more information on Anchor’s Widnes Hall, contact 0800 731 2020.