Care Regulator and Industry Award Praise For Craegmoor

  • Adults with learning disabilities
 

Craegmoor, the leading provider of specialist care and support to older people, people with learning disabilities and people with mental health illnesses, has made further progress in its quality development programme with the announcement that 85% of the company’s Specialist Division services are now rated as either “Good” or “Excellent” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

16 June 2009

Helping to set the standard for quality care and support that enhances lives and independence

Craegmoor Healthcare, the leading provider of specialist care and support to older people, people with learning disabilities and people with mental health illnesses, has made further progress in its quality development programme with the announcement that 85% of the company’s Specialist Division services are now rated as either “Good” or “Excellent” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). No services are rated as “Poor”. Services were praised in particular for the dedication shown by staff in meeting the needs of over 2,000 service users and in promoting independent and individual lifestyles.

The latest CQC ratings represent a 4% increase from February 2009 when 81% of Craegmoor’s Specialist Division services were rated as either “Good” or “Excellent” (with none rated “Poor”) by the CQC’s forerunner the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).

The news represents progress for Craegmoor’s quality development programme following the company’s decision to invest considerable finances in creating both a new internal Quality Development Audit Team – in place since the end of 2008 – and a six-strong team of experts known as Development Advisors, all of whom will be in place by the end of July 2009.

The Quality Development Audit Team provides a robust internal measure of how well Craegmoor is providing services that are led by and inclusive of the people that the company supports. Craegmoor uses the information from the audit process to drive improvements in a strategic way to ensure that good practice is embodied in every service that the company provides. The Team works in partnership with the Development Advisors – each one an expert in their field – whose role it is to direct and shape best practice across the whole of Craegmoor’s Specialist Division services and ensure continual improvement and positive outcomes led by the people who use Craegmoor’s services.

The latest CQC ratings also come on top of Craegmoor receiving a Special Commendation in the Residential/ Domiciliary Care Provider of the Year category at this year’s HealthInvestor Awards, in recognition of Craegmoor’s commitment to enhancing people's lives and independence.

Mary Horner, Craegmoor’s Director of Quality Development, said today:

“ As I have said before, I am very proud to be part of an organisation that is committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for those who use its services and is firmly focused on continuous quality improvement. My team and I are delighted by the latest CQC inspection results and we are focused on increasing the number of services which provide excellent care as part of our commitment to ensure improved quality of life outcomes for the people we support and in line with Valuing People Now .”

Ted Smith, Craegmoor’s Chief Executive Officer, added:

“ I am delighted that we have increased the number of our services that have been rated as either Good or Excellent by the CQC as, most importantly, it shows that Craegmoor is providing great outcomes for those people who use our services. That is what matters most to us and that is why we created our new Quality Development Team headed by a Senior Management level appointment.

I am also very proud that Craegmoor received a Special Commendation in the Residential/ Domiciliary Care Provider of the Year category at this year’s HealthInvestor Awards in recognition of our commitment to enhancing people's lives and independence. Treating each and every person who uses our services as an individual and tailoring our care and support to meet their needs is how we can truly personalise services and it is fundamental to what Craegmoor is about. ”

Notes for Editors

For further information please contact the Craegmoor Press Office on: 01905 459 813

  • Craegmoor is one of the leading independent providers of specialist support in the UK with a turnover of approximately £170m and employs over 6,500 people.
  • It has a portfolio comprising specialist and nursing residential support, mental health hospitals, specialist adult colleges and supported living schemes with over 4,700 beds across 234 homes.
  • The wide range of services offered by Craegmoor include: Specialist support for adults with learning disabilities and mental health illnesses, Nursing and residential support for older people and Independent Hospitals
  • Craegmoor has 2,229 Specialist beds including 143 beds in three colleges.
  • Craegmoor has currently 2,242 Older People beds and 237 beds in the company’s Independent Hospitals.
  • Working closely with local authorities, Primary Care Trusts and NHS Trusts, Craegmoor is committed to building partnerships focused on constant service improvements which meet the needs of individual people and which are in line with regulatory requirements and best practice.