Celebrations edge closer for National Care Home Open Day

More than 220 inspectors and staff from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are expected to visit care homes across the country on Friday, 20 June to mark this year’s National Care Home Open Day.

With just a few days to go, National Care Home Open Day offers an ideal opportunity for members of the public to find out more about their local care home and see for themselves what good care can look like.

From cream teas and musical entertainment to summer BBQs and sporting pursuits, many care homes are offering a wide range of diverse activities to ensure there is lots to see and do and that everyone can enjoys a fun-filled day.

A number of CQC inspectors are gearing up for the celebrations including inspectors from the north, central and London regions.

Ifat Reader, CQC inspector for the London region, said: “I know from the inspections I do that the majority of care homes do a really good job and provide people with great care. I’m looking forward to the day as a chance to get out into the community and talk to people about the work that care homes do – and the work that we do – to check that they are delivering compassionate care which meets people’s needs.”

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “I want to make the UK the best place in the world to grow old – to achieve this, we need candour and compassion to be at the heart of every care home.

“By opening their doors, these homes will help us to make this ambition a reality and show people what great care should look like.”

Looking ahead to this year’s open day, CQC's chief inspector of Adult Social Care, Andrea Sutcliffe, concluded: "I am delighted that so many inspectors and staff at CQC have signed up to take part. Adult social care is the biggest service we regulate and it's great we can be a part of celebrating the good care we see so often.

“Whether members of the public are looking at care options for a family member or just want to make a connection with the community – the open day is a great opportunity to visit your local care home. People can see what goes on, get involved and gain a better understanding of these really important services.

“I hope National Care Home Open Day will help to break down barriers between care homes and the community and forge lasting links for the future which will benefit everyone."

For more information about National Care Home Open Day, check out the regularly updated National Care Home Open Day map at www.cqc.org.uk/NCHOD2014 to see which care homes CQC inspectors and staff will be attending on Friday, 20 June.