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

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

Staff at Anchor’s Sandstones in Penkett 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. 

Sandstones was given an overall rating of 958 out of 1,000 and 945 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 96% of residents said they were happy living in Sandstones.

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 the residents living at Sandstones said carers treated them with kindness, dignity and respect.

Sam Walsh, Manager of Sandstones, which is rated Good 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.”

Mary Tanner, 87, who has lived at Sandstones since May last year, said she is not surprised by the good survey results.

She said: “This is excellent news for all the staff because it is so well deserved. They work so hard.

“I’m very happy living here because I’m well looked after by the carers and the cooks are good, making delicious meals.

“I enjoy taking part in many of the activities as Sandstones, particularly the baking sessions and the music for health classes.”

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