The Beeches care home in East Harling, near Thetford, rated as outstanding following inspection by Care Quality Commission

PUBLISHED: 19:40 23 August 2017 | UPDATED: 19:40 23 August 2017

Residents Gladys Rushmere, 89, left, and Mary Calcutt, 81, share in the celebrations with the staff in the private dining room at the Beeches Care Home, East Harling, which has been awarded an outstanding rating. Also round the table from left, Tom Lyons, managing director; Loreta Moss, manager; and Steven Melton, regional manager. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

Copyright: Archant 2017

Home manager, Loreta Moss, with residents Helen Drewry, 82, and John Schram, 94, at the Beeches Care Home at East Harling, which has been awarded an outstanding rating. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated The Beeches in East Harling, near Thetford, as ‘outstanding’ overall following a visit in July.

In the report inspectors said residents spoke of “exceptionally compassionate, kind and gracious staff that went the extra mile to care for people they knew especially well”.

The Beeches Care Home at East Harling, which has been awarded an outstanding rating. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

The staff and management were also praised on the “robust adherence to good practice guidelines” with “effective systems in place meant that risks were well managed and mitigated”.

The care home, which is owned and operated by Black Swan Care Group, can house up to 44 residents and supports people with the early stages of dementia.

Carol Quinton, mobile hairdresser, does 90-year-old Alex Cooley's hair in the salon at the Beeches Care Home at East Harling, which has been awarded an outstanding rating. Waiting her turn is Daphne May, 87. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

It was previously rated as ‘good’ in all areas after an inspection in August 2015.

Loreta Moss, who started working at the home in 2014 and became manager last year, said she cried when she found out about the rating.

The 45-year-old said: “All I try to do is make living at The Beeches a happy experience. To be recognised for how hard the home has worked to achieve this is wonderful and totally unexpected.”

Clarice Maggs, aged 101, in her room chatting to managing director, Tom Lyons, at the Beeches Care Home at East Harling, which has been awarded an outstanding rating. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

Among the outstanding areas highlighted by inspectors was the service of care.

The report stated: “The relatives we spoke with talked overwhelmingly of the distinctive and positively far reaching effects of the manner in which the service and staff cared for their family members.

Home manager, Loreta Moss, with the report awarding the Beeches Care Home at East Harling an outstanding rating. With her are managing director, Tom Lyons, left, and regional manager, Steven Melton. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

“One relative told us of the care provided, ‘It has changed my life. The weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders’.”

The Bleeches is now the third care home in the county to be rated as ‘outstanding’.

Tom Lyons, managing director of the care group, praised the home’s “fantastic” staff.

He said “We try to get to know our residents intimately and ensure that the care we provide is personal to them.

“We cannot do this without employing the right staff and the staff we have are fantastic.

“I would like to thank each one of them for their hard work and commitment.

“Loreta and her team at The Beeches really deserve the ‘outstanding’ report.”