Family-run care home provider Stow Healthcare is celebrating a third consecutive Outstanding CQC rating for Brandon Park Nursing Home in Suffolk.

Four years after its last inspection, when it was rated Outstanding in two out of five categories, Brandon Park went one better achieving the top rating in three categories – caring, responsive and well-led.

Stow Healthcare director Ruth French said: “To say we are delighted is a complete understatement! Like all other care homes, we have endured a trying three years. Despite all of this, our team has remained focused on what we do best – caring.

“It was a robust inspection, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome. The reaction of staff, residents, and relatives has just been lovely to see.  One relative told us: ‘Brandon Park is a very special place for my family, and to hear the latest rating… was I surprised? No! Of course it is Outstanding. I would have been knocking on the door of Number 10 to complain if not!”

Stow Healthcare, which is run by brother and sister Roger Catchpole and Ruth French, specialises in acquiring and turning around failing homes.

The family run operator was named Best Care Home Group – Under 10 Settings in this year’s National Care Awards.

Brandon Park is home of the award winning Maple Memory Centre that specialises in caring for people with memory challenges, which is situated in a newly developed wing, adjacent to the original Grade II Listed mansion.

The CQC said: “There was a strong and visible, person-centered culture at the service. We observed staff were highly motivated, offering care and support that was exceptionally compassionate and kind. This positive culture was because staff had built trusting and positive relationships with people they cared for.” 

Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England, which represents care providers across the UK, added: “Brandon Park is a truly outstanding service and this has been recognised by the Care Quality Commission for an almost unprecedented third time. The success of Brandon Park, and other services provided by Stow Healthcare, has its roots in a positive culture that puts the people who use services at the centre of everything they do. Stow Healthcare has also shown a commitment to supporting, nurturing, and developing the fantastic staff who deliver care and support, and the organisation is focused on delivering continuous improvement and enabling staff to have the resources to deliver outstanding care.”