Two homes win top food scores

A company with two residential homes in Telford came out one of the top with five star ratings for both its facilities in a new system to assess businesses dealing with food.

Coverage Care (Shropshire) Ltd's homes, Farcroft in Wellington, and Barclay Gardens in Donnington, were given the excellent rating in Telford & Wrekin Council's Scores on the Doors food hygiene scheme.

Health inspectors award businesses a star rating, ranging from the lowest zero stars to the highest five stars.

Farcroft manager Carole Williams said: "We are absolutely delighted. We do try to provide healthy options, we always offer choice. We adhere quite highly to all the safety regulations. We also do a lot of our own audits and we don't just rely on environmental health audits."

Debbie Newton, deputy manager at Barclay Gardens, said: "We are really proud. The staff work really hard."

Woodcote Nursing Home in Woodcote, Newport, received no stars, along with Redwood Healthcare's Myford House in Horsehay.

Woodcote matron, Kay Davies, said an inspector's visit had happened during a kitchen refurbishment.

She said: "This led to a score which did not give the true reflection of the catering department as a whole."

The refurbishment had now been completed and a new inspection would be carried, she said.

Mike Atherton, the council's head of prevention and protection, said: "Following a programmed inspection of Woodcote Hall in January, which highlighted major flaws in food management systems and practices, the business was advised of the failings and what should be done to rectify them.

"They were revisited in May to check the improvements had been made. Unfortunately not all items had been attended to.

"They are due for a further inspection in July because of their risk rating.

"The beauty of the Scores on the Doors scheme is that premises with low ratings are revisited and can improve their scores.

"We are hoping that in July when we return to Woodcote Hall there is a food management system in place and food safety and cleanliness have greatly improved."

No-one was available to comment from Redwood Healthcare.

By Lisa Rowley