A nursing home been praised for its “exceptional standards of care” after being given an outstanding rating by a health watchdog.

Eastern Daily Press: Staff and residents at Ford Place Nursing Home in Thetford are celebrating gaining an outstanding CQC rating. Pictured are (from left) Alex Ball, Ruth French, deputy manager Silvia Nunes and manager Alison Charlesworth. Picture: Ian BurtStaff and residents at Ford Place Nursing Home in Thetford are celebrating gaining an outstanding CQC rating. Pictured are (from left) Alex Ball, Ruth French, deputy manager Silvia Nunes and manager Alison Charlesworth. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited Ford Place Nursing Home, in Thetford, in November.

In a report published on March 1, they said: “Staff provided seamless care working together to ensure they met people’s needs.

“We observed kind, compassionate staff spending time with people and their families to ensure peoples’ well-being and offering support around their individual needs.”

The safety, effectiveness and caring nature of the home were rated good and the response and the leadership were rated as outstanding.

Eastern Daily Press: Staff and residents at Ford Place Nursing Home in Thetford are celebrating gaining an outstanding CQC rating. Pictured is resident Mary Moorey. Picture: Ian BurtStaff and residents at Ford Place Nursing Home in Thetford are celebrating gaining an outstanding CQC rating. Pictured is resident Mary Moorey. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

An overall outstanding rating was given.

Alison Charlesworth, home manager, said: “This fantastic report is a huge achievement for the superb team we have here at Ford Place.”

She added: “Our residents are at the heart of our home and we are delighted that the inspectors from CQC were able to see that.

“To have been able to engage the community so positively in the last year has made a huge difference to life at Ford Place and we want to keep building on all the good work.”

Eastern Daily Press: Roger Catchpole at Brandon Park nursing home, which has gained an 'outstanding' rating from inspectors. Picture: GREGG BROWNRoger Catchpole at Brandon Park nursing home, which has gained an 'outstanding' rating from inspectors. Picture: GREGG BROWN

This was Ford Place’s first inspection since family-run business Stow Healthcare took ownership in November 2016.

The home, which has around 40 residents and more than 60 staff, has a number of activity clubs including knitting and gardening.

Inspectors noted: “Activities were organised and provided throughout the week and people given opportunities to follow their own interests and hobbies.

“This helped to alleviate social isolation and encouraged people to remain independent and active.”

Eastern Daily Press: Roger Catchpole at Brandon Park nursing home, which has gained an 'outstanding' rating from inspectors. Picture: GREGG BROWNRoger Catchpole at Brandon Park nursing home, which has gained an 'outstanding' rating from inspectors. Picture: GREGG BROWN

The home’s “strong leadership” were praised for their “strong ethos and caring values”.

Resident Doris ‘Joy’ Fordham, 87, said: “I like the company. I go to the gardening club and I meet so many people from different backgrounds. There is a lovely atmosphere and the staff, well, I cannot praise them enough.”

Refurbishment works have been carried out at the home, with a new coffee lounge and a conservatory area reopened.

Eastern Daily Press: Staff and residents at Ford Place Nursing Home in Thetford are celebrating gaining an outstanding CQC rating. Picture: Ian BurtStaff and residents at Ford Place Nursing Home in Thetford are celebrating gaining an outstanding CQC rating. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Brandon Park Residential and Nursing Home

It is a double celebration for family-run Stow Healthcare.

The firm owns Brandon Park Residential and Nursing Home which was rated outstanding in September.

Stow Healthcare operations director Ruth French said: “It is hard to put into words what a massive achievement it is. It is amazing and we were completely thrilled to get Brandon as outstanding.”

The home, which was rated good during its last inspection in January 2016, was praised for being “extremely responsive to people’s needs”.

The report said: “People received exceptionally personalised care and support which they were in control of.”

It added: “People’s care was delivered by kind and caring staff who sought to meet their needs and ensure they were happy.”

Stow Healthcare’s managing director Roger Catchpole said the two homes being rated as outstanding “confirms that we are making a difference to our residents”.