A CARE home has continued its positive inspection record from the care watchdog achieving another ‘good’ rating.

Wessex Lodge Nursing Home, in Jobson Close, Whitchurch, was praised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in a report following an unannounced visit on July 3 and 6.

The home’s operations manager Colin Titcombe said: “The inspection was really very encouraging. The inspectors said that we were very close to being ‘outstanding’ when they were having a look at the work that our staff was doing. We’re very hopeful for next time, as we are very much moving forward as we continue on our way to getting ‘outstanding’.”

The CQC report read: “People were cared for by staff who had received appropriate training, support and supervision to maintain and develop their skills and knowledge to support people in accordance with their needs.

“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were encouraged and supported to eat and drink sufficiently in order to meet their needs and were able to make choices about what they would enjoy.

“Staff supported people to promptly see a range of healthcare professionals in order to maintain good health. People told us that care was delivered by kind and caring staff who sought to meet their needs and ensure they were happy.”

The practice cares for around 40 residents who require nursing or personal care, including those who have dementia, and those who are over the age of 65.

The inspectors talked to staff and residents at Wessex Lodge, finding out how they felt about all aspects of the care home, including safety, management, and how responsive the staff were, all of which came back as good.

Mr Titcombe added: “I want to thank the staff who are here for all their hard work, I know we can achieve ‘outstanding’ but now we just have to prove it the next time they come around. We’re very pleased with the result, as we have been through a change of management and recording system since our last inspection.”