The team at Dearnevale care home, part of Exemplar Health Care, is celebrating achieving what is believed to be a UK-first ‘Triple Crown’ achievement having been accredited by the national charity, Huntington’s Disease Association, as part of their ‘Quality Assured’ kitemark scheme.
Dearnevale also holds both a Care Quality Commission ‘Outstanding’ rating, and a perfect 10 out of 10 score on care home comparison website, carehome.co.uk. The rating is based on 50 recent, independently verified reviews by residents and relatives.
Dearnevale is believed to be the only care home in the UK to simultaneously hold a perfect regulator rating, perfect carehome.co.uk review score, and accreditation from a national care-related charity.
Described as, “a quality assurance programme that identifies the behaviours, cultures and specialist services required for a care home to specialise in caring for people affected by Huntington’s disease,” the Huntington’s Disease Association’s ‘Quality Assured’ kitemark is an exacting standard that is very difficult to achieve – Dearnevale is one of only nine care homes in the whole UK to hold this accreditation.
Helen McGowan, Home Manager at Dearnevale care home, said of the accomplishment:
“We are immensely proud to be recognised as one of the best care homes in the country, having achieved a trifecta of accolades. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to create a fun and supportive environment, ensuring that every aspect of our care makes every day better for the people we support.
“Whilst I’m deeply humbled that we’ve achieved recognition from the Care Quality Commission, carehome.co.uk, and Huntington’s Disease Association, the most important feedback will always come from the people who choose to make their home with us.
“Every day we wake up wanting to make sure we do the best we can for them, provide the highest standard of care, support everyone with dignity and respect, and give them all choice and control over their lives. Empowering the people we support is what powers us to continually strive for excellence.”
Located in Grimethorpe near Barnsley, Dearnevale supports adults living with complex care needs arising from neuro-disabilities such as Huntington’s disease, mental health conditions and physical disabilities.
The home features 40 large bedrooms across four 10-bed units, with this small group living meaning the home can provide a homely and supportive environment that’s more responsive to individual needs.
Dearnevale is part of Exemplar Health Care, one of the country’s leading nursing care providers for adults with complex needs.
Now supporting more than 100 people living with Huntington’s disease, the organisation recently appointed a new Huntington’s Disease Nurse Consultant to further enhance the quality of care provided to people living with the neurodegenerative disease.
Joanna McCabe joined Exemplar Health Care’s Behaviour Support Team with 17 years of experience across numerous healthcare settings and services that support people living with Huntington’s disease. Having created this new condition-specific role, Exemplar Health Care is hoping to achieve Huntington’s Disease Association accreditation for many more of its homes.
Joanna McCabe, Huntington’s Disease Nurse Consultant, Exemplar Health Care, said:“The work and dedication needed to provide the best possible support to people living with such a transformative condition as Huntington’s disease cannot be overstated. Yet, Dernevale has shown what it takes to not only achieve Huntington’s Disease Association accreditation, but to do so in a way that involves and empowers people living with the disease. It’s no wonder Helen and her wonderful team have achieved such high praise from both the CQC and the residents and families connected to the home.”