'Outstanding' Bristol care home hosts party for same sex wedding

A care home run by the St Monica Trust has been rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission and praised for being like ‘one big family’ where everybody is ‘respected and treated equally’.

This approach to embracing difference and diversity has even gone as far as the home hosting a celebratory party for a same sex wedding for a resident at John Wills House

Inspectors from the CQC said: “There was a positive culture at the service and people were provided with care that was sensitive to their needs and non-discriminatory. For example, the staff had gone the extra mile to help arrange a celebration for a same sex wedding within the home for a person that was living at John Wills House.

“The staff worked with the person to ensure it was all they wanted it to be. A member of staff said it was amazing.”

Wendy Leaman, manager of John Wills House care home, said: “The feeling of being a ‘family’ is at the heart of everything we do at John Wills House. No individual is more important than anyone else and we all work together as team - supporting each other and sharing our experiences, just as real families do.

“This outstanding rating is a reflection of our ‘family’ approach to care and everyone, from the housekeeping, catering, portering and administration teams, to the nursing and care teams and all our volunteers, has contributed massively to this achievement.”

The CQC revealed that during the inspection they saw many examples of staff responding to people through touch, and with affection.

“For instance, we saw staff actively looked for behaviours or cues which would give an opportunity to positively interact with people.

“For example, one person opened their arms for a hug when a staff member was near to them. The staff member took the opportunity to respond to this gesture and responded with a warm hug,” they said.

People and relatives consistently told inspectors “the registered manager and staff were excellent. The home was exceptionally well run. They said, ‘I have been happy with the atmosphere. Quiet, relaxed and welcoming’ and "I would describe this home as doubly excellent’.”

In addition, the CQC found that people received outstanding end of life care, which was compassionate, holistic and sensitive.

“Families were generously and respectfully supported during this time and were able to stay with their relative or visit around the clock,” they said.

The care home’s end of life care was also singled out for special praise, describing the service as “exceptional in supporting people and their relatives both in planning for and at the end of the person’s life.”

The report also noted how staff had been regularly acknowledged by relatives for “the care and compassion they had shown towards people and their families.”

St Monica Trust’s chief executive, David Williams, said: “My congratulations go to John Wills House’s care home manager, Wendy Leaman and her entire team on becoming the first St Monica Trust care home to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ rating. What is particularly pleasing, is the improvement shown on their previous CQC inspection where the service was rated overall as ‘Good’ and Wendy’s leadership as ‘Outstanding’.

“The desire to continuously improve is a reflection of the dedication and commitment displayed by the John Wills House team on a daily basis. This is an achievement that the entire organisation can take great pride in and I can’t think of a better way to start what will be the Trust’s 100th anniversary year.”

Located in Westbury-on-Trym, John Wills House is a care home with nursing, which offers respite and rehabilitation services, specialist care for those who are living with dementia and also for those with general nursing needs.

In total John Wills House provides care for 80 people living at the service. The Orchards is home to 15 residents living with dementia, the Beeches has 40 beds which provide short term care and the Willows has 25 beds for those with general nursing needs.

The St Monica Trust, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, operates four care homes across Bristol and North Somerset offering specialist nursing, dementia, short-term respite and end of life care, plus rehabilitation and reablement services.

click here for more details or to contact John Wills House