A REHAB clinic in Highworth received an Outstanding rating after impressing Care Quality Commission inspectors.

Gloucester House is run by the Salvation Army and has helped hundreds of people with drug and alcohol issues since it opened on the town's High Street in 1961.

Manager Susan Tollington said: "This is a caring, calming and supportive environment where we recognise and understand the damage caused to individuals, families and communities through substance misuse.

“Our 12 step programme is designed to empower and support every individual to live a life free from dependency, to look beyond their issues and to explore ways of making positive changes to their lives.

“This latest report from the Care Quality Commission really is testament to the hard work, professionalism and kindness of the talented team we have working here at Gloucester House and I am very proud of them all."

In the newest CQC report, inspectors praised the outstanding care and response provided by staff at the facility and commended the good safety, effectiveness and leadership there.

Inspectors noted: "Staff at Gloucester House truly respected clients and valued them as individuals. Staff always treated clients with compassion and kindness and respected their privacy and dignity, Feedback from people who use the service was continually positive about the way staff treated people. Clients said that staff go the extra mile. Clients highly valued their relationships with staff.

"People’s needs were central to the planning and delivery of care. Clients at Gloucester House said that staff go the extra mile. The service provided safe care. Staff assessed and managed risk well."

Only a couple of areas were singled out for improvement in the report: the service's ligature risk assessment and management plan, and the main building not being wheelchair-accessible.

Two Gloucester House clients spoke about how their lives changed for the better after staying at the rehab clinic. Their names have been changed to protect their identities.

Ted developed schizophrenia after prolonged and heavy drug use. He has attempted to take his own life on several occasions.

He said: “Since I’ve been at Gloucester House they’ve loved me back to life and I’ve had two distant thoughts about self-harm, but I’m dealing with it better because I feel cared for and in a better place.

"If I hadn’t come here, I would probably be dead. I’ve learnt that the drugs are not the problem, it’s you that is the problem. Being here has given me precious memories. I now want to build strong relationships with my family and go back into work full-time. “

Dave was sectioned and sent to a psychiatric unit after his drug use led to a breakdown.

He said: "“Gloucester House is a loving and caring environment and it gives you space to identify your issues and deal with the ones lead to drug addiction. It helps you to let go of past problems and failures in a supportive environment. I feel grateful that I have been given the opportunity to change my life around at Gloucester House in a holistic way through identifying the root cause of my addiction.”