CARE home manager Sue Smith has spoken of her pride that her team has been recognised for the outstanding compassion they give their residents.

Fitzwarren House in Kingsdown Lane, run by Methodist Homes, was inspected by Care Quality Commission in January.

And in the report published this week, they have received glowing feedback in all of the categories reviewed and given an overall rating of ‘good’ with ‘outstanding’ for the care they deliver.

To celebrate the achievement, staff and resident had a party on Friday with cake and sweet treats.

“We received wonderful feedback from the inspectors,” said Sue, who has been manager of the home for almost a year.

“They inspect over five domains and we received ‘good’ ratings for being safe, responsive, effective and well led. However the rating of ‘outstanding’ for care was our prize.

“Caring is what we do and for the staff to be recognised for it was well deserved. The inspectors said that the care they saw was some of the best they had seen. We believe we are the only care home in Swindon to achieve the ‘outstanding’ grade.

“During the inspection I said to the staff that it was their time to show what a brilliant job they do, their time to shine and shine they did. I am so proud.”

The home looks after more than 60 residents and was opened in 2006 by Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis.

The report states: “People and families praised the staff for the caring nature of staff, their compassion and humanity. The staff at Fitzwarren House went over and above what was expected of them in their role.

“The care people received was rated by people, families and staff as outstanding, in particular the end of life care and support people and their families received.

“Comments from thank you letters and cards included ‘your care of mum always went beyond expectations and made her last few days as peaceful and dignified as anyone could hope for’ and ‘on the day she died you had created an atmosphere of peace with the music and staff keeping her company, I cannot put into words how much that meant to all of us.’

“There was nothing but praise for the way they had involved people, their families and staff in the changes which had been made. A health professional told us 'Fitzwarren House definitely passes the mum's test. The new manager has really been getting on top of it.'

“Staff told us the registered manager was 'brilliant' and 'we really do have an excellent team now, we work so well together and feel listened to.’”