Meridian Healthcare’s Acacia Court Care Centre in Pudsey was recently awarded a prestigious 5 stars for the high quality of their catering facilities by Leeds City Council Environmental Health Department.

Introduced in June 2007 Leeds City Council along with other west and south Yorkshire Local Authorities launched the ‘Scores on the Doors’ scheme which gives a star rating to local businesses including care homes, restaurants, pubs, hotels and takeaways to list a few. The scheme has been launched to provide the consumer with better information on the quality of services in their area. The star rating awarded to each business is based on a food hygiene inspection carried out by the local authority, included in the scoring for the award are the following areas; Food hygiene and procedures, Structural conditions and cleanliness and confidence in management. The scores for each section are added together to produce an overall star rating from 5 stars for excellent to 0 stars for very poor. Further information on the scheme can be found on the council’s website, www.leeds.gov.uk

Councillor Steve Smith, Executive Member responsible for environmental health said: ‘Providing good food in a healthy and safe environment is paramount, ultimately we would like all food providers across the city to take their lead from organisations like Acacia Court, who obviously take their responsibilities to their residents seriously. Hopefully by making the results of inspections open to the public on the Scores on the Doors website we are encouraging even more food providers to make that extra effort.’

The kitchen at Acacia Court provides 3 tasty meals onsite daily to all of its 40 elderly residents including snacks and drinks at any time of the day. In house Cook Emily Davies is delighted with the 5 star rating, she puts the achievement down to ‘Hard work, organisation and ensuring that all procedures such as temperature checks are carried out when they are required.’ Emily joined the Acacia Court team almost 3 years ago and in that time she has completed training courses in Nutrition and Food Hygiene to name but a few and is responsible for providing hungry residents with a varied menu to tantalize the taste buds. Renowned throughout the home for her gravy and also her talent for making cakes, Emily enjoys her role and watching her in action is an art as she weaves like a dancer around the homes kitchen.

Care Centre Manager Tina Davies comments: ‘Emily is a fabulous cook, we all know food is one of life’s passions and our residents always enjoy mealtimes. Her organisation in the kitchen is excellent and the area is always spotlessly clean, the 5 star rating it is a testament to her hard work and dedication.’

If you would like further information on Acacia Court please contact Tina Davies on 0113 255 9933 or visit our website www.meridiancare.co.uk

Ends.
• Photographs show: Emily in the Acacia Court kitchen

Notes:
• Meridian Healthcare own 25 Care Centres throughout the North of England.

• Website: www.meridiancare.co.uk

For further information please contact: Tessa Matthews, Meridian Healthcare, 0161 368 9099 tmatthews@meridiancare.co.uk