A HEXHAM care home has improved and has been rated 'Good' after a recent inspection.

Hexham Carntyne Residential Care Home had been rated as requiring improvement by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection in April this year.

The report, published on May 20, stated whilst “PPE was plentiful and available to all staff”, they found other areas of concern in which the provider needed to make improvements, including infection control and medicines management procedures.

However following a recent focused inspection in August, the care home's overall rating is now 'Good'.

The report published said the inspector "found evidence that the provider has made improvements and addressed the previous breaches of regulations."

The report said: "Infection control procedures had improved. The provider had strengthened processes and staff were following guidance to protect people. There continued to be no outbreaks of Covid-19.

"Medicines were administered to people in a safe and timely manner and updates to medicine records continued to be reviewed to make sure they were up to date."

The care home, run by Carntyne Care Home Limited, provides personal care for up to 19 people, including older people and people living with dementia.

A statement from the management team said: "The past 18 months has presented itself with challenges for all care services with Carntyne being no exception, sickness, Covid outbreaks and an immense pressure upon care services to upgrade all control of infection practices, policies and ways of working.

"We feel that as a small independent service we did this to the best of our ability and followed all guidance, we maintained staffing levels throughout and had no outbreaks of Covid within the home; due to the fact that any isolated incidents were managed so well and swiftly and staff supported throughout.

"The staff were left disillusioned after the previous report as the above speaks for itself and all felt it was harsh.

"Errors were evident on the day – a snapshot in time but not indicative of practice in general and errors can be made by all not only staff, we feel this is evidenced by the quick turnaround to Good again. We all feel disheartened that at a time of pressure and needed support we had low staff morale due to the outcome however: We are overjoyed, the hard work of our team and the commitment of the provider is recognised by CQC as being good again.

"The staff team have remained stable and committed and we are so pleased that have now moved to enjoying some social events such as the Garden Fete, opening of the sweet shop, and there is much more to come.

"We will continue to provide the exceptional care that Carntyne has always provided and maintain the excellent reputation it has. We believe all services have struggled through difficulties during the Covid-19 period.

"All support is greatly appreciated."