Latest news with #AlanStephenson
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Rotherham supported living service rated outstanding by watchdog
A supported living service for adults with a range of needs has been rated as "outstanding" by a a report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), inspectors said the Rotherham Regional Office, which is run by Eden Supported Living Limited, was "extremely well managed" and should act as an example for similar organisation, which was previously rated "good", supports autistic people, people with learning or physical disabilities, people with sensory impairment or mental health needs, to live as independently as Stephenson, CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said: "All staff should be extremely proud of the care they're providing to people." The inspection, carried out in February, was in part prompted by concerns raised over an increase in medicines inspectors said they found no evidence that people were at risk of harm and concluded medicines were managed safely and leaders ensured everyone had a detailed care plan in report said the service was well staffed and ensured people had access to information in different formats and found Rotherham Regional Office put people "at the heart of their care" and said "passionate" staff helped people thrive and develop new skills."We heard about staff helping someone to gain employment, another person was being encouraged to take on voluntary roles to prepare them for the world of work and make them feel valued," Mr Stephenson said."All staff should be extremely proud of the care they're providing to people. "They clearly work hard to provide exceptional care, and other services should look at this report to see if there's anything they can learn." 'Valued and safe' CEO of Eden Futures, Helen Stokes, said the team was "extremely proud" of the latest CQC rating, describing it as "a testament to the dedication, strong values and hard work of our entire team".She said the CQC ratings were not just about meeting regulatory requirements but also about "striving for a standard of care that ensures those we support feel valued and safe"."For families seeking a social care provider they can trust, this achievement confirms Eden Futures as a leader in providing person-centred support that helps people live independently and thrive in their own homes." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Barnsley care home rated 'outstanding' after first inspection
A care home in South Yorkshire has been rated as "outstanding" after its first inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).Sid Bailey Care Home, run by Danforth Care Brampton Limited, provides accommodation and care to older people in Barnsley, including those with received top ratings for being well-led and caring by the watchdog, and was rated as "good" in its abilities to be effective, responsive, and Stephenson, CQC deputy director of operations in the North, said: "It's clear the home was committed to treating people as individuals and empowering them to achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives. "Leaders and staff should be very proud of the findings of this report, and other care homes should look to this report to see if there's anything to learn from it."Residents and their families were "overwhelmingly positive" about the home in Brampton, he said, adding its residents had access to "an impressive number of social events and activities".These included playing bingo at the local community centre and a community sports service being invited into the home to do exercise also heard a resident who used to be a disc jockey had been supported to do it again at the community CQC's report detailed staff were supported by a "highly motivated management team who ensured they received appropriate training", and that "leaders investigated incidents thoroughly".It also noted that pre-assessments of residents meant staff were aware of their individual needs before moving in.A spokesperson for the care home said staff were "overwhelmed" and "over the moon" with the CQC's report. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds or catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
York Hospital upgraded to 'requires improvement' after inspection
A hospital previously deemed to be providing an 'inadequate' level of services has improved, according to a follow-up inspection. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has moved York Hospital, run by York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, from an overall rating of 'inadequate' to 'requires improvement' after inspectors visited in January. Alan Stephenson, CQC deputy director of operations for the north, said it was "positive" to see improvements had been made, but "more work was needed"."They should continue to build on these foundations, ensure their improvements are embedded and sustained, and we'll continue to monitor them to make sure this happens," he said. Simon Morritt, Chief Executive, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the improvements were "a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our staff". "We're particularly pleased the CQC noted that most patients and their families felt treated with compassion and kindness, a reflection of the values we work hard to uphold every day," he said."We know there is more to do. Our focus now is on embedding the improvements we've made, strengthening leadership at every level, and creating a culture where both patients and colleagues feel safe, supported, and valued." Long waiting times The inspection identified the following improvements:Urgent and emergency care has improved from inadequate to requires improvement, as have the ratings for being safe and responsiveWell-led has improved from inadequate to goodEffective and caring have improved from requires improvement to goodOverall, medical care has been re-rated as requires improvement, as well as for being safe, effective, responsive and well-ledCaring has been re-rated as goodHowever, the CQC report did raise concerns about "breaches relating to safe care and treatment, premises and equipment", and further highlighted issues around good management and staffing in medical that were earmarked for improvement included tackling long waiting times, and more training for staff risk-assessing people with mental health needs in urgent and emergency care medical care services, it was found that the service "did not consistently maintain the environment" to ensure it was fit for purpose, and there were issues with ensuring people's information was accurate and kept Stephenson added: "When we inspected urgent and emergency care and medical care services at the York Hospital, it was positive to see that some improvements had been made since our previous inspection. "However more work was needed across both services to improve the standard of care people were receiving."CQC said it would continue to monitor the Trust, and has requested it submits an action plan showing what steps it will take in response to the concerns raised."The Trust has made some improvements, but they have more work to do to make sure people are safer and leadership continues to improve, as we know that better leaders mean better care," the inspection report concluded. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sheffield care home placed in special measures
A care home in Sheffield has been rated "inadequate" and placed into special measures after a Care Quality Commission Bowshaw View Nursing Home in Lowedges, run by Totalwest Limited, provides accommodation and care to older people, some of whom have CQC said it will be "closely monitored" after receiving the worst possible rating, and will have to make improvements to services within a structured Ravivannan Premananthan said: "While the outcome is not what we would have hoped for, we accept the report's findings and are acting decisively to make the necessary improvements." Alan Stephenson, CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said: "We will return to check on their progress and won't hesitate to use our regulatory powers further if people aren't receiving the care they have a right to expect."He cited "frequent leadership changes" as having a detrimental impact on the quality of care, and said concerns and issues raised at the last inspection had not been addressed.A high number of safeguarding concerns were being investigated, he added, including people having falls at the home and medication found that care plans often lacked detail and did not record residents' best interests, preferences, or similarly found risk assessments lacked resident, for example, rushed their food and took large mouthfuls, putting them at risk of care plan stated they were at low risk and no management of the risk was detailed, meaning nothing was being done to prevent resident said: "I am incontinent as the staff don't come when I need to go to the toilet."Leaders did not involve others in decision-making or always listen to their concerns about health and safety, inspectors said, meaning accidents were at risk of reoccurrence."While staff were kind, caring and wanted the best for people, they were let down by a lack of proper support due to regular management changes," said Mr Stephenson."They were positive about the new management team and were hopeful for the future, but it was obvious leaders were struggling to implement new systems in a timely way to make the necessary improvements."Mr Premananthan said the home was now following a "comprehensive improvement programme".He said this included enhanced staff training, strengthened care planning systems, improved leadership, and immediate measures to meet health and safety standards."The safety, dignity, and wellbeing of our residents remain at the heart of everything we do," he said."We are working with pace and determination to restore confidence and ensure that the high standards of care our residents deserve are consistently met."We are fully committed to transparency and welcome any enquiries from the media, families, or members of the public." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds or catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'Concerning' Doncaster care home placed in special measures
A care home which put people at risk of harm has been placed into special measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).Anchor House in Doncaster, which provides personal care to residents with dementia, has been rated inadequate overall and told it is not safe, effective, responsive, caring or Stephenson, CQC deputy director in the north, said: "It was concerning to see that poor leadership and ineffective risk management had led to people being placed at [risk of] harm in a place they call home."Authentic Care Services Limited, which runs the site, has been contacted for a comment. Mr Stephenson said: "One person hadn't been to the dentist since 2021. When staff had taken people to appointments, nothing had been recorded in their care plans."The home had a very task-focused culture which was routine and transactional rather than innovative and supportive to ensure people's wellbeing."Many areas in the care home were not well maintained and some armchairs in the lounge were "dirty and in need of deep cleaning," according to the relating to water, medication and infection prevention and control were not effectively managed, which put people at risk of harm, the report said. 'Poor leadership' It stated leaders did not have the skills, knowledge or credibility to "understand what good care looks like" and lead effectively.A person who was blind said staff "don't understand" about their impairment."I have been hurt a couple of times when they have said 'come this way' instead of the way I know," they said."They don't keep things in the same places, and I never know what time it is."Another resident said they would have liked to get out of the home more, as they had "been out with one carer, but we don't get out a lot".Staff also did not always report safeguarding incidents to the relevant authorities, although some concerns had been raised to the CQC."They didn't feel able to speak up internally, and when they had, their concerns weren't dealt with which is totally unacceptable," Mr Stephenson CQC issued the home on Avenue Road with warning notices following the inspection, and said the site would be kept under close review to ensure it is was previously rated good in four out of five key categories, and good overall.A spokesperson for Anchor House said: "We acknowledge the findings of the recent inspection and are treating them with the utmost seriousness. The care, safety, and wellbeing of our residents are at the heart of everything we do, and we remain fully committed to meeting the high standards expected by regulators, residents, and their families."Since the inspection, we have taken immediate steps t-o begin addressing the concerns raised, including enhanced staff training, strengthened quality assurance processes and leadership reviews. We are working closely with the CQC and local authorities to implement a clear and structured improvement plan."We are determined to make the necessary changes to move forward positively and responsibly." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
