A CARE home is celebrating after being rated good by a watchdog.

The Laurels in Hetton-le-Hole, on Wearside, was given the rating following an unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

The Laurels was found to be good against all of the core criteria of being safe, effective, caring, responsive to residents’ needs and well led.

The inspectors said that people living in the home, which is run by Four Seasons Health Care, felt safe and were treated with care and kindness, dignity and respect.

The inspectors saw that staff interacted “very well with residents in a caring and compassionate way”.

They spent time talking and listening to people and there was a cheerful and sociable atmosphere in the home.

Residents and their relatives told the inspectors that staff were, helpful and friendly.

A visiting healthcare professional said that staff always went the extra mile to support people.

People said they enjoyed good food and they were helped with their nutritional well-being. They felt there was a good range of activities, social events and trips out.

Amanda Cunningham, regional managing director of Four Seasons Health Care, said: “It’s a credit to the dedication of the care team that the home was rated as good overall and against each of the core criteria that the CQC inspectors use. “It is also heartening to see the very positive comments by residents and their relatives and to know the team is so well appreciated.”