Teesdale care firm joins the industry elite

A Teesdale homecare provider is “even more driven” a year after securing an outstanding rating by inspectors.
Middleton Care Limited was rated highly by the Care Quality Commission in April last year.
In recognition of the quality of their services, members of the team were invited to the first gathering of the United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) members who had also been rated as outstanding.
The owner of Middleton Care Limited, Yvonne Metcalfe, along with office manager Denise Coll and registered manager Marie Scown travelled to London earlier this month for the gathering at the British Medical Association House in Tavistock Square.
Ms Metcalfe said: “It was a privilege to be invited and we were very proud to attend.
“It was a chance to have a round the table question-and answers-type discussion to try to find out more about other companies’ working practices and help other companies struggling to achieve an acceptable level of accreditation by CQC.
“It was beneficial to us to hear about how people do it differently in cities. We were chuffed because a lot of the things they talked about we had been doing before it was put in legislation such as person-centred care. We have been doing that for a long time.”
The event was led by UKHCA chief executive Bridget Warr. Chief executive of Skills For Care Sharon Allen also gave a talk.
Middleton Care Limited is registered to provide care to people living in their own homes in rural Teesdale and surrounding areas.
With a team of 26 carers and three members of management staff, the company currently offers care and support to more than 80 people.
Ms Metcalfe said: “Out of over 12,000 domiciliary care providers, less than one per cent were awarded an outstanding accreditation by CQC. We are not complacent though. It was a big surprise to us. We knew that we did a good job and we were thrilled to get it.
“It has made us even more driven.”
Due to a growth in client numbers, a new role has been created to help cope with the demand.
Ms Metcalfe added: “We are developing a HR department which will be a part time post to begin with. The role will benefit staff and clients.”