Residents at Choices for Living Well (Killelea) Receive Outstanding Care in Top-Rated Rehabilitation Service

Residents at Choices for Living Well (Killelea) are benefiting from an Outstanding level of rehabilitation care, as confirmed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in its November 2025 assessment.

The service achieved top marks in Effective (92%) and Caring (95%) categories, with inspectors praising its multi-disciplinary team (MDT) for delivering compassionate, evidence-based support that consistently exceeds expectations and helps people regain independence swiftly.

This purpose-built 36-bed facility, operated by Bury Council in partnership with Northern Care Alliance NHS Trust, supports adults recovering from illness or injury.

Facilities, including a therapy hub, assistive technology and a bistro café, promote community re-engagement and confidence-building in everyday tasks, alongside innovative community partnerships such as the 'Art to Heart' project which partners with a local school for intergenerational art sessions.

Inspectors highlighted how the integrated multi-disciplinary team (MDT), including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, nurses, care support staff, and consultant geriatricians, creates seamless rehabilitation, with people only needing to tell their story once.

Consultant ward rounds address people's medical and rehabilitation needs holistically, while the consistent application of FREDA principles (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Dignity, Autonomy) ensures residents' rights are truly respected through care tailored to each person's needs, from accommodating therapy dogs and culturally appropriate diets to a calendar of inclusive activities to celebrate diversity and foster social connections.

The inspection noted that Killelea has exceptionally inclusive leaders at all levels who understand the context in which they deliver care and embody the culture and values of their workforce and organisation, with feedback from staff consistently positive about the registered manager and a proactive culture where staff feel confident to speak up.

Successful outcomes include a patient who had sustained a hip fracture, who resumed social club visits after only seven weeks, a person who had been in ICU, returning home stronger with 'friends for life' after less than five weeks, and a previously bedbound resident standing independently after two weeks of daily physiotherapy.

Residents were quick to praise the facility, saying "It's like heaven here coming from the hospital;" "The staff have given me my confidence back, and I feel very safe and well looked after;" and "Everyone is so lovely, I'll honestly miss it here when I go home." Families were also happy that their relatives were well cared for, saying, "I know they are safe here. I have no complaints whatsoever, only good things to say. The carers are all brilliant."

Staff echoed this enthusiasm, with a consultant stating, "I think people have the best chance to improve here and be looked after very well. I would be happy to have a loved one or family member in Killelea, or myself for that matter."

Michelle Wheatley, Registered Manager at Killelea, said: "Residents are receiving truly exceptional care from our dedicated teams. We're proud of our integrated approach with NHS partners, which delivers real recovery and independence for people using our service."

Adrian Crook, Director of Adult Social Services, said: "This Outstanding rating reflects the hard work of the multi-disciplinary team working alongside Northern Care Alliance colleagues. The focus remains on providing high-quality, person-centred rehabilitation that meets residents' needs."

Louise Palmer, Clinical Lead and Delysia Hawley, Intermediate Tier Lead at the Department for Health and Adult Care, added, “We are incredibly proud to achieve an Outstanding CQC rating. This reflects our team’s dedication, compassion, and high standards of care. Their drive for excellence makes a difference every day. This success truly belongs to them.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
Full CQC report: https://www.cqc.org.uk/locatio...