NORWICH CARE HOME TURNAROUND RECOGNISED WITH ‘GOOD’ RATING FOLLOWING CQC INSPECTION

A Norwich care home has completed a remarkable turnaround in just 12 months, being rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission just a year after the same body rated the home ‘Inadequate’.

Thomas Tawell House in Magpie Road, Norwich, which is run by the Norfolk & Norwich Association for the Blind, was given a ‘Good’ rating in the key areas of safety, effectiveness, caring and responsiveness, leading to an overall ‘Good’ rating for the home, which supports up to 35 people living with visual impairment.

The new report, which follows a comprehensive inspection of the home by the CQC late last year, has provided a strong endorsement of the improvement plan put into place by the NNAB after the previous inspection.

“Jumping from ‘Inadequate’ to ‘Good’ in such a short period of time is very rare, and it is a reflection of the hard work and commitment by everyone at Thomas Tawell House in response to the criticisms levelled in our last inspection,” said Gina Dormer, chief executive of the NNAB, who was appointed to her post just weeks before the previous inspection.

“What is particularly pleasing is what residents told the inspectors about the care they receive.  The report includes some of these quotes, such as ‘I need 24-hour care and that's what I get, it's fantastic,’ and, ‘This is definitely the best place I have been in’.

“The CQC has acknowledged how seriously we took the last inspection report, and the subsequent success of our improvement plan.  I would like to pay tribute to our staff, who have worked so hard to turn things around, as well as our Trustees who have provided unwavering support.”

But Mrs Dormer said that despite the glowing report, work would continue to improve provision at the home.  “A ‘Good’ rating is a tremendous achievement, but we will not be resting on our laurels.  These inspections are useful for helping us identify how we can improve further, and this will now be the focus as we move forward.”

Thomas Tawell House provides safe, suitable accommodation and care for visually impaired people who need support to live independently.  It provides specialist care for the visually impaired and takes an holistic approach to each individual to ensure their needs are met.  It can accommodate up to 35 people.