Watchdog upgrades care home to good rating

Residents were supported to manage their health and well-being, inspectors said

A care home has had its rating upgraded to "good" after inspectors noted significant improvements.

Clifton Lodge in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, looks after up to 35 older people including those living with dementia.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out an unannounced inspection in January and noted that the home had implemented systems to reduce the number of falls.

Nursing home manager Pippa Crocket said: "I am so proud of how our staff have embraced continuous learning and worked together to create a caring and supportive environment for our residents."

Marcus Brown, who is from an Oasis tribute act, performed with staff at Clifton Lodge last year

The care home is managed by the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, which is the local mental health service.

It was rated as "requires improvement" following an inspection in 2019, and the CQC said at the time that residents' end of life care needs were not recorded and concerns were raised for their safety.

In the most recent report, it said residents were supported to manage their health and well-being, to maximise their independence, choice and control.

Systems have been implemented to monitor and improve risks in relation to falls at the service, added the report.

Inspectors said tailored activities were created to meet people's needs and interests.

The report said: "They also arranged for external people to come in such as entertainers and had arranged for animals to visit.

"We saw photographs of people smiling and enjoying taking part in these activities.

"A relative told us 'they even have a person who does hand massages and cuts nails'."

Hazel Roberts, CQC deputy director of operations in the East of England, said: "Everyone at Clifton Lodge should be proud of the improvements they've made."