Oldham's Roxhsana Ltd, also known as Visiting Angels Manchester East, has been rated 'outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Users and relatives said staff go 'above and beyond' and are 'like family'. The homecare service made an evident impact on the wellbeing of service users, the watchdog documented.
Bolton: Spennymoor Care Home rated 'good'
Spennymoor Care Home in Church Road was rated 'good' overall. Inspectors praised the home as 'homely' with a 'regular staff team, some of whom had worked there for many years'. There were enough staff, recruited safely, and training was in place. Staff 'responded well' if residents experienced problems or had concerns.
People could choose how they spent their day, what they wore, and what time they got up and went to bed. Activities included crafts, music, and quizzes, but people wanted more opportunities to go out into the community. One relative said: “I think it is good, there is a smile on [person’s] face, so they are doing something right. We don’t worry about [person] in this home.” A resident added: “You get bucket loads of care.”
However, leadership needed improvement. Lessons were not 'continually identified', and reviews into incidents did not take place. Risk assessments were inconsistent, with staff lacking 'all the required information about people’s care'. There was no up-to-date fire risk assessment, and regular night-time spot checks did not appear to take place. Despite this, people using the service and their relatives felt it was 'safe'.
Bury: GP practices receive 'good' ratings
Dr Laurence Howard Sherman at Greyland Medical Centre was rated 'good'. Patients described staff as 'caring', 'always eager to help', and 'like old friends'. The surgery had introduced specialist nurse clinics to improve access following patient feedback. There were enough 'qualified, skilled and experienced' staff.
However, the CQC found hazards in staff-only areas, including a torn carpet that could be a trip risk. Documents for staff recruitment were missing, including signed contracts and right to work evidence. The GP had plans to address these concerns.
Huntley Mount Medical Centre in Bury also received a 'good' rating. Inspectors praised 'innovative ways of working' that made access to important information 'simple' for staff, including an emergency equipment wall with checklists and pictures of locked medicine boxes. Experienced staff had created a 'library' of guides. Some 92pc of patients said staff treated them with 'care and concern' in a national survey. More services had been brought into the practice to help people who could not afford to travel.
Manchester: Chorlton Place Nursing Home improves to 'good'
Chorlton Place Nursing Home was deemed 'good' after improvements following a previous critical report. The CQC found the service was no longer in breach of regulations around safe care and good governance. Inspectors said improvements had been 'sustained and further strengthened', with lessons learned from incidents and changes introduced. Previous concerns about cleanliness and pest control had been addressed, and risks resolved. Service users said staff 'worked hard' to meet people’s needs.
Oldham: Roxhsana Ltd rated 'outstanding'
Roxhsana Ltd received the top 'outstanding' rating. Staff go 'above and beyond' and are 'like family'. When one service user went into respite, her carers visited in their own time and took her flowers and chocolates. A family member said: “It was very much appreciated by [Name], she loves them.”
The CQC said staff 'took time to listen' to concerns, encouraging people to express how they were feeling and helping them access support. Another family member said their relative was 'very depressed' and the service employed someone who could speak their first language. They added: “They are eating more, and are smiling more, I think he [registered manager] relates, he doesn’t just provide care, he provides the socialisation bit, he sees everything.”
When staff raised concerns about feeling vulnerable in darker winter months, prompt action was taken, including creating winter care kits with torches, panic alarms, ice scrapers, reusable water bottles, and snacks. Recruitment processes were 'rigorous', ensuring 'suitable, skilled and safety‑conscious employees' were hired. Care was safe and 'person-centred'. When a service user was discharged from hospital, staff used gentle therapeutic exercises, activity, and light massage to reduce stiffness and increase movement, with the person eventually regaining 'significant movement' and their pain reducing.
Stockport: Caritas General Practice Partnership rated 'good'
Caritas General Practice Partnership at Dial House Medical Centre received a 'good' rating. Some 96pc of people said the provider was 'good at treating them with care and concern'. The premises were 'visibly clean'. A triage system was introduced in response to patient feedback, guaranteeing all patients who wished were seen or contacted by nursing staff on the same day. Significant adaptations and upgrades had been made to buildings to improve accessibility, despite them being over 100 years old. Leaders recognised this was an 'ongoing challenge'.
Trafford: Council's adult social care rated 'requires improvement'
Adult social care services at Trafford council were rated 'requires improvement' by the CQC in the second critical service report received by the council this month. The watchdog found long waits, low satisfaction, and 'ineffective' sharing of safeguarding lessons. Just 58pc of those using services were 'satisfied' with their care, compared to the England average of 65pc. Delays were experienced in care act assessments, care reviews, occupational therapy, and financial assistance for carers.
Inspectors flagged concerns with safeguarding handling. While concerns were dealt with in a 'timely manner', partners said they had to 'chase outcomes which were not forthcoming or timely', leaving them 'uncertain how to manage risks going forward'. Updates were 'usually limited', resulting in 'inadequate understanding and delayed coordinated action to reduce risks'. Transitions from children’s services were 'not seamless' with inconsistent pathways and delays, leaving families 'often unclear' and 'worried about their future'.
However, the CQC recognised improvements were underway, with waiting times reducing and people accessing care more quickly. The council has a 'senior leadership team who had the vision and passion to improve services for the people of Trafford', and 'clear improvements' have been made since January 2025 when a new interim director was appointed. Leaders say they 'accept the findings' and 'know there is more to do'. Further measures have been introduced since the inspection, including improved access to support efforts to reduce occupational therapy waiting lists.
