A Southborough care home is celebrating after being commended for the quality of its care by an industry watchdog.

Following an unannounced inspection Bupa's Fountains Lodge Care Home was rated as 'good' in four of five areas assessed - safety, effectiveness, care and leadership - and rated 'outstanding' for its responsiveness.

In its summary the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said staff at the London Road facility - which only opened last year - communication effectively with people, responded to their needs promptly and treated them with kindness and respect.

Under the CQC’s new programme of inspections, all adult social care services are given a rating according to whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led and graded either outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

CQC inspectors also said people’s individual assessment and care plans were reviewed monthly with their participation and updated when their needs changed and that people were at the heart of the service.

One relative described the management of the service as “truly excellent, very well led by a management team who have great insight in dementia.”

Home manager, Julie Taylor, said: "I’m delighted with the result of the CQC report and the positive feedback that it included. I’m looking forward to working with the staff to further develop our services, so that we make sure we are delivering the best care we possibly can.

"The report is testament to the staff at Fountains Lodge who work extremely hard to ensure essential standards are maintained and, where possible, improved upon to make this a homely, safe and comfortable environment for our residents to live in.”

Fountains Lodge provides nursing and residential care for elderly people living with dementia.