Lancashire County Council's Older People's Care Service, which has 10 residential homes and day centres in East Lancashire, has achieved the national ‘customer service excellence’ standard and been given special recognition for the hard work of its staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The service runs 16 care homes and 13 day centres across the region, where staff provide support for older people, adults living with dementia and their families.

Their vision is “to be the best quality service, safely supporting older people with kindness, dignity, care and compassion to live their life their way."

Support includes personal care, social activities and rehabilitation to help people regain their independence after a stay in hospital.

The inspector was particularly pleased that staff went 'above and beyond' normal service standards when Covid-19 restrictions meant that day centres had to close.

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "Staff in our older people's care service team always do all they can to put the people they support first. I'm glad their hard work is paying off and being recognised.

"There are lots of positives in the report, but I was particularly pleased to read about the team scoring a 'compliance Plus' rating for the work of day centre staff when the buildings had to close due to the national restrictions.

"Staff showed their initiative and contacted people who use the service and their families regularly to ensure they were okay.

"One day centre user particularly enjoyed quiz activities. His support worker would regularly contact him to play a quiz game over the phone with him while the buildings were closed. This made a huge difference to him and his family at such a difficult time.

"Supporting vulnerable people is one of the county council's priorities and this is a great example of how we do this. 

"Being accredited with the Customer Service Excellence mark is tremendous news. Congratulations to everyone involved for their hard work."

Chris Bagshaw, head of the older people's care service team, added: "Everyone has worked so hard to get this accolade. 

"Inspectors highlighted lots of good practice, from the caring and attentive way we deal with people who use our service and their families, to our strong working relationship with suppliers and partner organisations. We want to build on this to make even more improvements.

"I'm really proud of everyone who works in this service. A huge well done for all your hard work."

Please could you ask them to include our vision at Older People Care Services which is to " "To be the best quality service, safely supporting older people with kindness, dignity, care and compassion to live their life their way."

Full list of Older People's Care Service residential homes and day centres in Lancashire

Residential care homes

• Beaconview, Kiln Lane, Skelmersdale Wn8 8pw
• Bowgreave Rise, 1 Garstang Road, Garstang Pr3 1yd
• Broadfield House, Broadfield Drive, Leyland Pr25 1nb
• Castleford, Queens Road, Clitheroe Bb7 1ar
• Cravenside, Lower North Avenue, Barnoldswick Bb18 6dp
• Dolphinlee House, Patterdale Road, Ridge Estate Lancaster La1 3lz
• Favordale, Byron Road, Colne Bb8 0bh
• Grove House, Highfield Road, Adlington Pr6 9rh
• Lady Elsie Finney House, Cottam Ave, Cottam, Preston Pr2 3xh
• Meadowfield House, Meadowfield, Fulwood, Preston Pr2 9nx
• Milbanke, 72 Station Road, Kirkham Pr4 2ha
• Olive House, New Line, Bacup Ol13 0by
• Thornton House, Whimbrel Drive, Off Mayfield Ave, Thornton Cleveleys Fy5 2lr
• Woodhill House, 60 Woodhill Lane, Morecambe La4 4nn
• Woodlands, Warwick Avenue, Clayton-Le-Moors, Accrington Bb5 5rw
• Woodside, Burnley Road, Padiham Bb12 8sd

Day Centres

• Byron View Day Centre Byron Road, Colne Bb8 0bh
• Lady Elsie Finney House Day Centre Cottam Ave, Cottam, Preston Pr2 3xh
• Milbanke Day Centre 72 Station Road, Kirkham Pr4 2ha
• Parkside Day Centre New Line, Bacup Ol13 0by
• Teal Close Day Centre Whimbrel Drive, Off Mayfield Ave, Thornton Cleveleys Fy5 2lr
• Derby Centre, Derby Street, Ormskirk L39 2bw
• De Vitre Enhanced Day Care Centre, De Vitre House, Ashton Road, Lancaster La1 5al
• Fosterfield Centre, Eaves Lane, Chorley Pr6 0ey
• The Leyland Day Centre, King Street, Leyland Pr25 2le
• Mere Brook Enhanced Day Care Centre, Brookside, Aughton Street, Ormskirk L39 3bh
• Mearley Fold Centre, Bright Street, Clitheroe Bb7 1nw
• Woodhaven, Thorneyholme Road, Accrington Bb5 6bd
• Vale View Centre, Stratford Close, Lancaster La1 2jp