Stichell House celebrates ‘Good’ CQC rating

Stichell House residential care home in Greatham, Hartlepool passed a recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection with an overall ‘Good’ rating after being praised for operating a safe and well-led service.

The CQC inspected the home on 17th and 21st April 2023, and rated the home, run by The Hospital of God at Greatham, as ‘Good’ in the two key areas of the focussed inspection.

The report stated that people felt very safe living in the home and with the support they received from staff. People and relatives spoke very highly of the staff and described them as "very kind" "excellent" and "caring." Comments included, "The carers are so patient with everybody, have a good sense of humour and keep the place happy all the time" and, "It is very well organised, very clean, welcoming and homely."

The report noted that people were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this
practice.

Also highlighted in the report was that the home was consistently managed and well-led. Leaders and the culture they created at Stichell House promoted high-quality, person-centred care. Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering, which achieves good outcomes for people.

Staff told the inspectors that they enjoyed working in the home and felt management were approachable. They said, "It's a good place to work. This is like one family. We get good support from management" and, "I feel supported (in my role). I'm really enjoying it."

This inspection was a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and wellled only. For those key questions not inspected, the CQC used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating. The overall rating for the service has remained good based on the findings of this inspection.

Lawrence McAnelly, Director said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Stichell House has maintained its ‘Good’ rating following the CQC’s latest focussed inspection. It is fantastic to have the hard work and dedication of our amazing team at Stichell House recognised. We pride ourselves on putting the people we care for at the heart of everything we do and its rewarding to read in this inspection report how happy the people we care for are ”

The CQC report can be downloaded here (pdf)

Stichell House is a 35 bed purpose-built residential home, set in the landscaped grounds of the Greatham estate, just 4 miles outside of Hartlepool.

2023 marks the 750th anniversary of The Hospital of God. The charity has a long and proud history of working with older people, those living with dementia and their family carers. The charity employs over 100 staff and its portfolio of services span:

• Community day services for people living with dementia or memory issues and their carers in East Durham and Hartlepool.
• The Bridge; a one stop dementia care and advice hub service.
• Community pastimes; a small group and one-to-one service supporting people living with dementia or facing social isolation to be as independent as possible.
• Almshouses in Greatham, Norton and Stockton-on-Tees, enabling elderly people to live independently.
• The charity owns 120 private properties and facilities which it leases on a commercial basis, and
• A grants programme which provides grant funding to local organisations to make a positive social impact.