A FACILITY in Ellesmere Port that provides services for people with autism has received a glowing report from the Government's health watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated the Specialist Autism service at Dover Drive as 'good' in all of the areas inspected.

It is run by council company Vivo Care Choices, which delivers a "range of flexible and responsive support for people with learning disabilities and autism and older people".

The company says it has been "dedicated to developing its services over the last 12 to 18 months".

The report on the Dover Drive facility highlighted that “people who used the service were relaxed and comfortable with the staff team”, and “relatives were consistently positive about all aspects of the support their relations receive”.

The seven Vivo areas all rated as good are:

  • Curzon House in Saltney, Chester
  • Dorin Court Bungalow Short-break service in Upton, Chester
  • Dover Drive Short-stay service, in Ellesmere Port
  • Northwich Network
  • Shared Lives scheme – Coronation Centre, in Ellesmere Port
  • Specialist Autism service, in Ellesmere Port
  • Winsford Network

Alistair Jeffs, Vivo Care Choices Managing Director, said: “We are delighted with the result of our latest inspection at Dover Drive.

“We have been on a journey over the past 12 to 18 months to improve services and the fact all of them are now rated as good by the CQC is testament to the hard work our staff have put in. We could not have achieved these ratings without their dedication to the people who use our services.

“We have listened to the feedback we received from previous CQC inspections and made sure we put plans in place that would allow us to make our services stronger.

“We always pride ourselves on delivering person-centred care that gives those using our services the best possible opportunities in life and we have plenty of exciting plans to improve our services further in the future.”

Cllr Val Armstrong, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at Cheshire West and Chester Council, added: “Vivo has made significant progress in the last 12 to 18 months and it is fantastic to see this highlighted by the raft of good inspections from the CQC.

“Vivo’s contract with the council was recently extended until 2021 and I am looking forward to seeing how it continues to develop its services.”