Staff at a care home are eager to continue their good work into the new year following a successful inspection report.

Bethel House on St Bees Road, Whitehaven, has recently been rated as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission.

The health watchdog inspected five key areas to determine if the service provided was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

The care home, which is run by Haven Care Centres Limited, was deemed to be ‘good’ in all of these areas.

Inspectors praised the “kind and compassionate” staff who had “formed positive relationships with people and knew them well”.

The report says: “All staff spoke to people politely and with patience, allowing them time to respond. People were clearly comfortable with the presence of staff members and we noted a lot of warm and friendly interactions. People and their relatives spoke very positively about the care staff.

“People told us they felt they were listened to by staff. Relatives told us they were kept updated about significant events affecting their relatives. People’s dignity and privacy was respected.”

Inspectors were also impressed with how the care home’s environment had been adapted to better meet the needs of residents with dementia since the last inspection.

The report says: “Management and staff were using best practice guidance to make the changes required.

“There were appropriate signs around the home to support people to locate different rooms and décor had been improved in line with environmental good practice on supporting people living with dementia.

“Memory boxes were used for people to fill with personal items to prompt them and help them orientate themselves.”

Care home manager, Ann Marie Rogan, was also recognised in the report, for her “strong leadership”.

It says: “Healthcare professionals told us the registered manager had made significant care and systems improvements in the last few years. These had a positive impact upon the lives of people living there. Staff told us they felt valued, listened to and well supported.”

Ms Rogan said she was “very proud” of the care home’s achievement.