Dawson Lodge care home is praised by residents and relatives in a national survey

A care home in Southampton has been praised by its residents and their relatives and friends in a national survey on care standards.

Staff at Anchor’s Dawson Lodge in Botley Road were rated highly in the independent Your Care Rating survey run by Ipsos MORI.

The home performed above the national average in feedback from residents and relatives in four areas: Staff and Care, Home Comforts, Choice and Having a Say, and Quality of Life. 

Dawson Lodge was given an overall rating of 924 out of 1,000 and 926 out of 1,000 by the residents and their families and friends respectively. Both scores were above the national averages of 893 for the residents’ survey and 852 for the family and friends’ survey.

The survey results come as Ipsos MORI publishes a poll which showed that Britons perceive care much more negatively than the residents living in care homes.

Only 26% of Britons thought care homes were a happy place to live while 97% of residents living at Dawson Lodge said they were happy there.

There was also a mismatch between public perception of how staff treated residents compared with the older people’s actual experiences: only 45% of Britons thought care home residents were treated with dignity and respect when, in fact, all of the residents living at Dawson Lodge said carers treated them with kindness, dignity and respect.

Mitchelle Perry, Manager of Dawson Lodge, which is rated Outstanding by regulator The Care Quality Commission, said: “Our residents have really positive experiences in our care home, as this independent survey shows. We’re proud to have been praised for our care.

“While we’re really pleased with our scores, the survey helps us further improve our services by giving us direct feedback from residents and their loved ones.

“Families can see at a glance which care homes are committed to raising standards by taking part in this survey.”

Joan Kitchen, 88, who has lived at Dawson Lodge since June 2018, said she is not surprised by the good survey results.

She said: “I’m happy the home has done well as it shows the level of good care I receive. The staff are caring, hard-working and professional, the food is good, my room and clothes are cleaned, and if I have any problems they are dealt with and not brushed under the carpet. 

“I take part in most daily activities. I like the keep fit classes, quizzes and the entertainment.” 

Fellow resident Stella Pugh, 97, said she liked living at Dawson Lodge as she didn’t have to do any of the household chores.
She said: “I get all the help I need from the staff who caring and helpful. I like having my own room where I listen to my radio, do my knitting and my crossword puzzles on my own iPad. I like the church service and the quizzes.” 

For more information on Anchor’s Dawson Lodge phone 0800 731 2020.