PEOPLE were treated with kindness and there was clear leadership, watchdog inspectors found, on their latest visit to an Andover care home.

Copper Beeches Care Home, in Woodlands Way, was rated as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection on March 11.

The report, released last month, rated the care home, which is run by Hampshire County Council, as ‘good’ in four of the five areas which the organisation examines, with safety the one category in which it was marked as ‘requires improvement’.

The inspectors’ report read: “Risks to people’s health and wellbeing had mostly been appropriately assessed and planned for.

“Planned staffing levels were usually met and overall people were having their needs met in a safe and responsive manner.”

The watchdog found that accidents and incidents were documented and investigated.

It added: “Appropriate policies and procedures were in place which ensured staff had clear guidance about what they must do if they suspected abuse was taking place.”

The inspector praised the staff’s “good understanding” of people’s needs and care plans.

“People continued to be treated with kindness, respect and dignity and had developed strong relationships with people. Staff understood the importance of supporting people to maintain their independence.”

Residents were also supported to take part in a range of activities which “supported them to lead a full and more active life”.

The registered manager was also found to have “nurtured a positive person-centred culture within the home,” adding: “They knew people well and displayed a commitment to putting person-centred care first and of trying new ways of meeting people’s needs and to improve their quality of life.”

And the inspector’s report added: “There was a clear leadership and management structure in place which helped to ensure that the service could deliver effective care and that staff at all levels were clear about their role and responsibilities.”

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “We welcome the outcome of the recent CQC inspection which shows that overall, residents at Copper Beaches benefit from good quality care and are well looked after. We are particularly pleased that the Commission noted that those who live with us are treated with kindness, respect and dignity, and have developed strong relationships with the staff who care for them.  Furthermore, the inspectors reported that the home has strong links with the local community and with a range of healthcare professionals including GP's, district nurses, community mental health nurses, chiropodists and occupational therapists, and that the health and wellbeing of residents benefit from these relationships.

“However while the overall report was ‘good’, inspectors found a small number of administrative procedures which were not adhered to in the correct way. Action was taken immediately and these shortcomings have now been rectified.”