The Devonshire care home, located in Reading, is celebrating a ‘Good’ rating in all areas after a recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection.
Our fantastic 137 bedded home provides nursing and dementia care. The recent review found it to be ‘safe’, ‘caring’, ‘effective’, ‘responsive’ and ‘well-led’ after an unexpected visit from five CQC inspectors.
To create the report, the inspector spoke with staff, managers, people living at the care home, and their relatives, as well as reading records kept by the care home. From this, they decided that every area deserved a ‘good’ rating.
When talking about the safety of The Devonshire, the report says: “People said they felt safe at the home and when staff provided their care.” This was made clear when one staff member said “The residents are safe from harm here. The staff really care about people”. Not only did the CQC inspector observe that “staff used safe practice when supporting people with their mobility” but they also found the home to be “clean and hygienic”.
When speaking to one of the people living at the home, they said that the staff are “the best carers you could have” saying that “they are all lovely.” The inspectors found that staff were attentive and treated people with kindness, understanding people's needs and wishes.
Home Manager, Elizabeth Gondo, said: “I am so proud of our team at The Devonshire. They truly care about the lovely people who live here and I’m delighted to see this reflected in the recent report. Reading the kind words of the people in our care has been heartwarming.” “The happiness and health of the people at The Devonshire is our top priority, so to receive good ratings across the board is validation that we’re doing the right thing here. We will continue to make sure our home provides nothing but the best!”
The report also highlights that the care provided is effective, stating that people’s needs were assessed before they moved in, ensuring that aspects including health conditions, mobility, eating and drinking, medicines, and personal care needs and preferences were properly managed.
When speaking about their effectiveness, one staff member said: “The care plans are very good and detailed with people’s preferences. We really try to get to know everything about everyone here and make sure everyone is comfortable with the support and how we do it. We try to understand best what people enjoy.”
Elizabeth added: “We believe that each person's needs must be carefully considered before and during their stay with us. This way, we can prioritise the comfort and happiness of everyone in our home, which is at the heart of what we do here. It’s fantastic to receive a good rating, as it reassures the team and the leaders of the home that we’re doing what’s right for those living with us. It also helps to reassure family members that their loved ones are in good, caring hands.”
The Devonshire focuses on creating a home-from-home atmosphere through comfort, quality, and a wide range of facilities and services. With a person-centred approach to care, the team ensures each resident feels valued and at ease, offering choice and independence while providing the peace of mind that all needs are met. Their aim is to make life easier and create a sense of belonging, making residents feel truly at home.