Care home in Kenilworth is praised after an unannounced visit from inspectors

Castle Brook care home in Kenilworth has been recognised as ‘good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The home in Common Lane received the rating after a planned but unannounced inspection by the care home regulator over two days in December 2019.

The CQC report, released last month (February), highlighted how residents and relatives praised the ‘caring attitude of staff, and the friendly and welcoming atmosphere within the home’, while noting the ‘very caring and trusted relationships’ that people had built.

Inspectors said that people ‘felt valued because staff took every opportunity to engage with them as they met in communal areas or went about their duties.’

One resident told the CQC that ‘everybody knows your name and they always greet you’, while a relative said: ‘They are very caring. We go down to the little café and every staff member who comes past always stops and says hello.’

The report added that ‘people were encouraged to stay as independent as possible to promote their privacy and dignity’.

When it came to activities and helping people to enjoy what they’ve always done, inspectors said staff were ‘responsive when they knew what was important to people’.

Iris Elliot moved into one of Castle Brook’s double apartments with her husband, Harry, last year, and said: ‘We love living at Castle Brook – there’s so much to do here and nothing is too much trouble for the staff, who are fantastic. I really can’t speak too highly about our home.’

Run by Warwickshire-based charity WCS Care, Castle Brook is home for up to 84 older people and people living with dementia, providing long-term residential care and short-term respite care across six households.