Prior Bank care home is praised by residents and relatives in a national survey

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

Staff at Anchor’s Prior Bank in Cherry Tree 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. 

Prior Bank was given an overall rating of 899 out of 1,000 and 867 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 89% of residents said they were happy living at Prior Bank.

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, 94% of residents living at Prior Bank said carers treated them with kindness, dignity and respect.

Simone Clover, Manager of Prior Bank, which was rated Good by regulator The Care Quality Commission in February, 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.”

Christine Schofield, who has lived at Prior Bank for six months, said she is not surprised by the good survey results.

She said: “I was over the moon when I heard about this excellent news. I like living here because I enjoy the company of the residents and staff. There’s always someone to talk to.

“There are lots of activities which I enjoy, such as the armchair exercises and our Chair Zumba classes which are fun.”
Fellow resident Maureen Robinson, who has lived at Prior Bank for more than four years, added the staff really looked after her.
She said: “The carers are all lovely and kind, and they go above and beyond for you. 

“I like living here because there is always something to do and I never get bored. There are lots of activities - my favourites are chatting to the children when their school visits us and when Zoo Lab brings in the animals for us to pat and make a fuss of.”

For more information on Anchor’s Prior Bank phone 0800 731 2020.