A Bridport care home has been rated one of the best in the country after receiving an ‘outstanding’ rating in a recent inspection.

Coneygar Lodge has been inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) over two days and received the highest accolade.

Coneygar Lodge was found ‘outstanding’ in three of five areas – caring, responsive and well-led – and ‘good’ in safety and effectiveness.

The inspector noted that it was 'exceptionally well-led' and 'benefitted from strong leadership', with the registered manager 'passionate about providing person-centred care and this was reflected in every aspect of the service'.

The inspector said: “There was a ‘whole team’ approach, which was the driving force in delivering a truly person centred service. People said they felt the service was extremely responsive to their needs.

“Staff were compassionate, kind and caring and had developed good relationships with people using the service. People were comfortable in the presence of staff, and told us they were treated with dignity and respect.

“We received very positive comments from a range of people about the caring nature of the service. One person wrote to the local paper in regards of their experience of kindness and compassion from staff. Another told us, ‘I never thought I could be happy again, but I have found peace and happiness living here. It is like a lovely new family’.”

The inspection report states that there are a range of activities taking place and that residents were safe as there are systems and process in place to protect them. They also received an affective service which was supported by staff with the appropriate training.

James Cross, director of Coneygar Lodge, said: “We are chuffed to receive such a judgement for our care home, particularly being the first in Bridport and surrounding areas.

“The staff are over the moon that their caring attitude and hard work has been recognised officially.

“It is also really great for our registered manager, Louise Van Dom, as one of the areas where we achieved ‘outstanding’ was in the ‘well led’ section.

“Only three per cent of all care homes in England have achieved the top rating of outstanding and we are the first in west Dorset – in fact there is only one other in the whole of Dorset – so to have one of the best care homes in the country in our little town is extremely good news.”

Fellow director and owner of the care home, Wendy cross, echoed James’ sentiments and said: “You haven’t got a good care home if you haven’t got good staff, that’s the main focus.

“They enjoy their work and it makes for a happy place.

“It’s acknowledgement in the wider world of what we have been doing here for ages, it’s actually been recognised now.”

Debra Kaylene, a career at Coneygar Lodge, said: “Coneygar Lodge, a small independent family run care home without the backing of a multi-million pound franchise, has absolutely annihilated all competition.

“It is safe to say that Bridport is well and truly on the care home map as a result of Coneygar Lodge.

“In turn, the population of Bridport can rest confidently in the knowledge that their sleepy seaside home town now has a care home graded as being one of the UK’s top three per cent.”