A nursing home on the outskirts of Harrogate has achieved the top food hygiene rating after a major refurbishment of its kitchen.
Bilton Hall Nursing Home on Bilton Hall Drive was given a rating of just one out of five after an inspection in March, but has now achieved the top rating of five after a revisit.
Tracey Turner, interim manager at the home, owned by We Care Group, said the improved rating was down to the hard work of the kitchen staff.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“I’ve been here for four weeks. I came in as a new manager, had a look around and decided the kitchen should be a priority. In the last three weeks, we’ve turned it around.
“The company have invested in new flooring and new equipment. That kitchen team really, really worked and it has paid off. It’s so much better.”
The original low-scoring report found “poor levels of cleanliness” and said there was a lack of food safety systems and monitoring.
Both the inspector and the home’s former manager said some of the problems were linked to the use of agency workers, after it had struggled to recruit permanent staff for the kitchen.
Ms Turner said those problems had now been resolved and the restoration of the full five-star rating was a reflection of the effectiveness of their work.
A new permanent manager is set to take up the post in the next few weeks, she added.
Meanwhile, other areas of the historic building are also being refurbished, she said, to ensure it offers the best possible living accommodation to its 52 residents.
The latest food hygiene inspection and rating had been celebrated by staff and residents alike, Ms Turner said.
She added:
“[A poor rating] quickly gives the place a bad reputation, which it doesn’t really deserve.
“It just goes to show in a couple of weeks how, as a team, you can pull it together. That’s what care is about. It’s wonderful.”
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