The Martins makes it a hat trick of 'outstanding' homes

A Bury St Edmunds care home is celebrating after its care for older people was judged to be ‘outstanding’ by independent regulators the Care Quality Commission.

The Martins at The Vinefields cares for 42 residents, including 22 specialist places for people living with dementia. It was assessed by CQC inspectors as being ‘outstanding’ in the fields of being caring, responsive and well led.

Inspectors commented in their report that ‘people received an outstanding level of care which responded to their individual needs and preferences. Skilled and caring staff supported people in the way they chose’. Other the highlights of the report include:

• Staff were exceptionally caring and compassionate. They treated people respectfully and demonstrated great patience and empathy. Staff sought to ensure people’s self esteem and dignity was maintained
• People who used the service praised the food highly. Mealtimes were very chatty and social occasions which people clearly enjoyed
• Care was delivered holistically and staff caring for those people living with dementia never lost sight of the person inside and had received training related to this in particular
• People were extremely well supported at the end of their life. They experienced care which reflected their very specific preferences and met their needs at this important time

Manager Liz Fleming was described in the CQC report as being ‘exceptional’, a role model who was respected by those who used the service and a manager who led by example.

She said: “We are all thrilled and delighted to have been acknowledges by the inspectors as being ‘outstanding’. We have a fantastic staff team, residents and relatives at The Martins and that is what makes a care home a community.

“All of us want what is best for our residents and everyone, from the kitchen staff through to the office staff through to the carers, work to put our residents at the heart of what we do.”

MHA’s Regional Director for Care Homes Linda Zaidi said: “Liz and her team should feel very proud of the ‘outstanding’ rating for The Martins.

“Choice is very important to our residents, and Liz and her colleagues make sure the residents know that The Martins is their home and that they respect and value their opinions.”

The full report on The Martins can be read here.

The Martins is run by national older person’s charity MHA and is the third of their homes to be rated ‘outstanding’. Overall, 87 per cent of its 88 care homes are rated as ‘good’ or above.