A CARE service has been congratulated by inspectors who gave it an outstanding overall rating.

Middleton Care, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, provides care and support to about 60 people in their own homes.

It was inspected in April by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which said it was an active part of the local rural community.

The CQC said staff were highly committed and motivated to support people to remain in their own homes, while “exceptionally dedicated” palliative care was provided.

It said the registered manager led by example in providing “person centred” care.

The CQC said: “We heard examples of them taking people's ironing home with them, looking after people's pets by taking them to the vets and going to see people to offer support when they had received difficult news.

“Staff members told us they felt part of a team, were proud to work for the company and said the registered manager put the people who used the service and their needs before anything else.”

Debbie Westhead, Deputy Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care in the North, said:

“This is a fantastic domiciliary care service and there are many examples of staff going above and beyond their normal duties to ensure people are safe and have everything they need to stay in good health in their own homes.”