Stanley Park

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

Caring – this means we looked for evidence that the service involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.

At our last inspection we rated this key question good. At this inspection the rating has remained good. At this inspection the rating has remained good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

Staff treated people with kindness, empathy and compassion and respected people’s privacy and dignity. Staff communicated with people in a caring and compassionate way. They gave people time to respond, listened to them and provided sensitive support to ensure people's needs were promoted. People and relatives were very positive about the kindliness and caring nature of staff. Their comments included, “The staff are very good, they love [Name] to bits. [Name] likes to have a laugh”, “There is banter and lots of laughter here, I like that” and “Staff have time to talk and do listen to me."

Staff treated people as individuals and ensured people’s care, support and treatment met people’s needs and preferences. They took account of people’s strengths, abilities, aspirations, culture and unique backgrounds and protected characteristics. Staff had received training in equality and diversity to emphasise the importance of treating people as unique individuals with different and diverse needs. Person-centred information was collected about people's religion, likes, dislikes and any cultural preferences. A staff member told us, “When a new resident comes, I find out what work they did, I talk to their family and friends. I explain to them what we do.” A person commented, “Staff know me, they know my likes and dislikes.” Staff were aware of and had an in-depth understanding of people's needs, anxieties and aspirations. A relative told us, “Staff just know [Name], they told me [Name] likes a latte.” Staff established consistent and trusting relationships with people which enabled people to relax with the support provided. A relative commented, “[Name] is a different person, in a positive way from the last place. It is the relaxed nature of things here.”

Staff at the service promoted people’s independence, so people knew their rights and had choice and control over their own care, treatment and wellbeing. Independence and autonomy were promoted, whatever the level of need, and this was at the centre of the care and support that people received. A person told us, “I always take my stick with me, I manage on my own. Staff help me in the shower.” People were supported to achieve a level of independence and to be fully involved in decision making and control in their lives. A person commented, “I make all my own choices. We discuss things daily.” A relative told us, “Staff manage risk, [Name] gets attention and is not rushed.”

The service provided rehabilitation and some people were successfully supported to return home. Staff had worked with people and professionals, they had enabled people to regain their independence. Improvements had been made in areas such as increased mobility, better nutrition and emotional well-being. A relative fed back to the provider, “We have got [Name] back. Knowing they can be home for Christmas is everything.”

The activities co-ordinators sourced a varied range of individual and group activities and entertainment for people to enjoy both inside the home and out in the community. People and relatives’ comments included, “They [staff] do cake making”, “In the summer, people use the garden. The garden is accessible, last year there was an Hawaiian party, with a Tiki bar, sand and beach balls”, “There are trips out, I have been to Beamish Museum, we are planning to go to South Shields for fish and chips”, “There are exercise classes and Elvis the singer comes in” and “There are things going on here. [Name] needs that stimulation.” The activities co-ordinator told us, “We have involvement with the community, the Veterans Association come in and we are planning a Veteran’s hub. We go to pantomimes and Christmas fayres. We have pet therapy dogs and have had Shetland ponies for pet therapy, which people love. We are planning for Burns Night and on Valentine’s Day, we will have a singer and roses for the ladies. We are going to have a meal for the couples.”

Staff listened to and understood people’s needs, views and wishes. Staff responded to people’s needs and acted to minimise any discomfort, concern or distress. Staff worked calmly, compassionately and staff on other units responded to people promptly. Staff worked very closely with people. They invested time in ensuring they were given the right level of support to promote their understanding. A relative commented, “[Name] is totally cared for here, I reflected and they have never been in a low mood here, [Name] withdrew in the previous home. Staff know they like a hot chocolate in the café.”

The provider cared about and promoted the wellbeing of their staff and supported and enabled staff to always deliver person-centred care. Staff provided positive feedback about their experience of working at the service. Staff told us they felt valued and supported by the management team. They all commented they were encouraged to voice their opinions, ideas and suggestions. A staff member commented, “The manager listens to us.”