A HEXHAM care home has been rated good following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

In four out of five key areas, Carntyne Residential Care Home, on Hencotes, received praise from officials for its care, leadership and effectiveness.

The report, published on February 4, said: “Staff at the service were extremely caring and nurturing in their approach.

“They provided people with a range of information and activities to help them avoid social isolation and ensured that each individual received person-centred care.

“People could make their own choices and any complaints were dealt with quickly.

“The management team was open and honest and this culture appeared to have been passed on to the staffing team.”

The 17 residents, who live in individual rooms as well as in four flats on the complex, said they felt safe and well cared for by the 26 members of staff.

Meanwhile, the service was identified as being well-led, with the home providing a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.

A relative quoted in the report said: “Using other care homes as a yard stick, this is just like a home from home; we could not have found anywhere better and, believe you me, we looked. The staff are superb and show nothing but warmth and kindness.”

The only area of concern identified was around the safety of medicines after the report found that not all residents had a medicine care plan or risk assessment in place.

Manager Louise Lovell said paperwork to address the issues identified around medicine management had been updated immediately.

“This was an unannounced inspection carried out over two days in December and although, of course, we would have liked to be rated as outstanding, we are very pleased with the outcome.

“The happiness of our residents and staff, as well as the CQC, is what is important.”