Suffolk nursing homes owner ‘hugely proud’ after second CQC ‘outstanding’ accolade

Roger Catchpole at Brandon Park nursing home, which gained an 'outstanding' rating from inspectors last year. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Stow Healthcare, based at Stowlangtoft, near Bury St Edmunds, which is run by the Catchpole family, has expressed delight after its Thetford nursing home, Ford Place, followed in the footsteps of Brandon Park Residential and Nursing Home to achieve the rare accolade from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Both followed unnannounced inspections, with a visit to Brandon in July 2017, and Ford Place, which the firm took over 16 months ago, in November.

The family started Stowlangtoft Healthcare in 2010 as a farm diversification with one home in a listed building at Stowlangtoft which risked closure if the family hadn’t taken it on. The group now owns four nursing homes, including Stowlangtoft Hall at Stowlangtoft, and Melford Court at Long Melford.

Inspectors found “exceptional standards of care”.

Roger Catchpole, Catherine Catchpole, and Ruth French, of Stow Healthcare. Picture: HOLLY RIGGS (Image: Archant)

“The service provided to people was exceptional. The provider, registered manager and staff worked tirelessly to ensure people received the care and support they needed to continue to be independent, active and stay healthy,” the report on the Thetford home, published in February, said.

“The service was extremely well managed and run in the interest of people using it and in consultation with families, staff and stakeholders.”

It was rated outstanding overall, outstanding in two of five categories and good in the remaining three.

Manager Alison Charlesworth, who leads a team of 60 staff caring for 40 residents, said it was a “fantastic report” and a “huge” achievement for the team. “Our residents are at the heart of our home and we are delighted that the inspectors from CQC were able to see that,” she said.

Stow Healthcare's Ford Place Nursing Home, Thetford, which gained an outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Picture: HOLLY RIGGS (Image: Stow Healthcare)

Operations director Ruth French said: “CQC said ‘Every staff member we spoke with demonstrated the right values and caring ethos’, which is a fantastic accolade.”

Managing director Roger Catchpole said: “We have now had two of our homes rated as ‘outstanding’ in the last six months, which confirms that we are making a big difference to residents in our care. We are hugely proud of what our staff have achieved.”