8 out of 10 for UK care

The results from the 2013 Your Care Rating survey, the UK’s largest and most authoritative survey of care home residents, have been released today. The survey obtained views from over 20,000 residents from 1,055 homes and were analysed to give each an Overall Performance Rating (OPR) out of 1,000.
 
The results broadly paint an encouraging picture of life in care homes from the majority of homes which took part, with an average OPR score for participating homes of 871. The highest score achieved was 991 for St Leonard’s Rest Home in Hayling Island, Hampshire. However, clearly not all homes achieved the national average and some scores for questions were significantly lower. Ten homes had an OPR score of 700 or below.
 
The survey also provides scores out of 1,000 across four main sub-themes, with the national average score for each being (a) staff and care – 869; (b) home comforts – 852; (c) choice and having a say – 852; and (d) quality of life – 923.
 
One element of particular scrutiny across the care sector is that staff often do not spend enough time interacting with residents. But here the survey’s results show that generally this is not the case, with the average care home score being 85% for residents agreeing that staff have time to talk to them. The question which scored the lowest was how much choice residents have over the care they are receiving, with an average score of 83%.
 
Douglas Quinn, chairman of Your Care Rating, said: “The results show that for the vast majority of the 20,000+ residents in care homes which took part in the survey, their day- to-day life is happy and fulfilling. They say that they are treated with kindness and respect, their food is good, they are allowed visitors when they choose and staff are attentive to their needs. It is absolutely vital that we give residents a voice, that we listen to what is important to them and care providers then act on that feedback. That is what the Your Care Rating survey is all about, improving standards of care and giving families objective information when it comes to choosing a care home.”