The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Whorlton Hall

Whorlton Village, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8XQ (01833) 627278

Provided and run by:
Castlebeck Care (Teesdale) Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

18, 20 September 2012

During a routine inspection

People told us they were looked after by the staff at Whorlton Hall. They said there were plenty of activities and if they had any concerns they would feel able to talk to staff about it. Comments from people included “I like the staff here. They look after me,” and “they (the staff) understand you.”

We watched how the staff supported the people in their care. We saw people were treated with dignity and respect. For example, we heard staff address people respectfully, speaking quietly about private matters.

People told us they had advocates who helped them with important decisions. People also described how they were involved in the running of the service and their own care through regular house meetings and monthly individual review meetings.

There were good safeguarding procedures in place and medicines were stored and given to people appropriately.

There was on-going training for staff to help them meet the needs of people in their care. The building was clean and well maintained with plenty of outdoor space which people could use independently.

4 October 2011

During an inspection in response to concerns

We spoke to 10 people during our visit.

People told us that they enjoyed a wide range of activities and trips that they were involved in choosing and planning.

They said:

'I am hoping to go and visit my dad who lives in Wales',

'We do loads of stuff',

'I'm going horseriding again as I really enjoyed that',

'There are lots of activities',

'I've got my own activities plan',

'I'm going to see Ken Dodd',

'I like doing things with the staff'

'Things have settled down a lot now and there are more activities' (This person was talking about earlier this year when there were lots of people visiting Whorlton Hall. The manager told us that at this time this disrupted daily activities),

'I like it here',

'I do my own ironing,

'I'm going to Norfolk for my 50th birthday',

'We go cycling and swimming',

'I like going shopping' and

'We go to the cinema'.

Staff also told us that: 'It's usually very organised and we all know what we are supposed to be doing' and

'People do get to choose what activities they want to do'.

21 June 2011

During a routine inspection

Many of the people who were at this service wanted to talk to us about the service. Some people commented that they had been involved in choosing their own key worker, although this depended on whether those staff were available. Several people described how they were involved in their own care planning and their care records. All of the people we spoke with told us about their individual reward schemes and they felt that this was successful in helping them to progress.

One person said, 'I like it here, it's my home.' Another person said, 'I like my bedroom and my key worker.'

One staff said that they had worked in other organisations and was able to make comparisons to Whorlton Hall. They said, 'This is a very good service that has been very successful in helping people to move to more independent living.'

All of the people we spoke with commented that staff were 'very nice'. One person said that staff were 'nice' to them but could be 'funny' with another person because of their behaviour.

17 September 2010 and 21 January 2011

During a routine inspection

We found that people who use the service were very complimentary regarding the care that they received at the unit.

People who use that service were viewed as individuals, and their needs for privacy and dignity were respected by staff.. A number were very proud of having their own keys to their rooms, and valued this as evidence of the staff team's respect for them. People at this unit feel that their views are listened to and valued by staff. There was a regular unit meeting which takes place every Friday, and people who use the service could suggest their own ideas for outings.

Mental Health Act Commissioner reports

Each year, we visit all NHS trusts and independent providers who care for people whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act to monitor the care they provide and check that patients' rights are met. Immediate concerns raised by patients on those visits are discussed, if appropriate, with hospital staff.

Our Mental Health Act Commissioners may carry out a number of visits to each provider over a 12-month period, during which they talk to detained patients, staff and managers about how services are provided. In the past, we summarised themes from the visits and published an annual statement followed by the provider's response where applicable. We are looking at different ways to indicate the outcomes of our monitoring in the future.