- Care home
Appletree Grange
Report from 17 July 2025 assessment
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 27 August to 11 September 2025.
Appletree Grange is a care home providing accommodation, personal and nursing care to a maximum of 32 older people, including people who may live with dementia. At the time of our unannounced visit, 32 people were using the service. A registered manager was in place. The registered manager is registered with the Commission and is legally responsible to ensure that the service is compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.
Appletree Grange was very well-led. The provider, registered manager and staff team were passionate about people's well-being and worked very hard to help people achieve their goals and aspirations by building their confidence and breaking down barriers to increase independence. There was clear evidence of collaborative working and very good communication with other professionals to help meet people's needs. Relatives and professionals described how people received personalised care and support that was tailored to people’s needs and preferences.
The environment was maintained to keep people safe, however areas of the home were showing signs of wear and tear. We also signposted the provider to design the environment so that it meets the needs of people who may live with dementia or a dementia related condition to keep them orientated and informed.
The service was flexible and adapted to people's changing needs and wishes and promoted their independence. There were examples of some significant improvements to the well-being of people due to the care they received. Risks to people had been assessed and care plans were in place to help mitigate risks as far as possible. Care records were detailed, person-centred and reflected people's care needs. Accidents and incidents were investigated, action taken, and lessons learned. There were sufficient trained staff who worked with other professionals to ensure people's needs were met in a safe and person-centred way. Staff were attentive and treated people with kindness and compassion. People enjoyed a varied diet. Systems were in place for people to receive their medicines in a safe way.
People's diversity as unique individuals with their own needs, was well-respected by staff. The staff team knew people well and provided support discreetly and with compassion. People’s privacy was respected, and people were supported to maintain contact with relatives and friends. The culture of the service was friendly, open and transparent where people's and staff voices were listened to in order to continually improve the quality of care. People, relatives and staff were confident about approaching the registered manager if they needed to. They recognised that their views and feedback were valued and respected and consistently used to support quality service development. Effective auditing systems were in place.
People's experience of this service
Relatives, people and professionals told us how kind, caring and supportive the staff were. People said they were happy living at the service. People and relatives’ comments included, “It is a nice little home, staff are very kind and thoughtful”, “It is the staff the way they treat the residents, I can’t praise them enough”, “Staff are kind. They come in and talk, everyone is nice here” and ‘I went round to check lots of homes, I came to Appletree. They were so open, I got a good vibe when I came. There is nothing hidden.”
People felt safe with staff support. Relatives’ and peoples’ comments included, “There is always a member of staff in the lounges, people are never left unattended” and “There are definitely enough staff, it is not 1 to 1, but when you want staff they are there” and “We have no moans about the care, not the staff, they are a happy bunch.”
We observed people to be content and relaxed whilst being supported by the staff team. Relatives and people told us they felt listened to and were consulted when planning and agreeing how care and support should be provided. Staff offered choice and gave people time to respond. People and relatives’ comments included, “Staff do listen, the manager is very responsive” and “If I have a query I go to staff, they sort it out, they listen to my suggestions.”
People had access to a range of activities and entertainment to support their health and well-being. People and relatives’ comments included, “It was the summer fayre on Saturday”, “They have had trips to Beamish, the Metro centre and the Discovery Museum”, “The activities person is brilliant.” People received a varied diet. People and relative’s comments included, “[Name] likes the food, they have scones and cakes, they have finger foods too” and “[Name] loves the sweet things, the home baking and puddings.”