A SHIPLEY care home which "goes the extra mile" has cause for celebration after receiving the top rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The health watchdog visited Formations Care Home, St Paul's Road, in August and September, judging it to be outstanding.

The good news was made all the more special as it was the care home's first inspection after opening its doors last year.

Inspectors said: "Feedback from people, relatives and health professionals about the service was exceptional.

"They all said that people received extremely person-centred care that resulted in very positive outcomes for people."

Staff were described as "exceptionally kind and caring" and were said to spend quality time with people, meeting their social needs at every opportunity.

They were also said to have developed "extremely caring and compassionate relationships with people which helped them fully understand people, their histories and their future needs".

"We observed care and support and saw staff were true to these values, treating people with a high level of dignity and respect and being attentive to their social, emotional and physical needs," the report said.

"Staff engaged in conversation with people throughout, making for a very friendly and inclusive atmosphere.

"They sat and played games with people or helped them undertake their favourite pastimes such as sewing.

"We observed staff were consistently positive in their interactions with people, smiling and making people feel at ease, having a laugh and a joke with people throughout the day."

The report also said that creative methods and activities were used to help people maintain and develop their independence.

Inspectors also highlighted that people were "truly at the heart of the service", being fully involved in how the service was run, including recruitment decisions, chairing meetings and monitoring quality.

"Innovative approaches, patience and dedication" were used to fully involve all, said the report.

Inspectors said the home developed strong relationships with local health professionals - their expertise was used to develop and improve the service.

The report highlighted how staff at the home had helped one resident reach their goal of being able to order their own drink in a pub.

This was achieved through a physical health champion, who helps to improve people's mobility and independence.

"They promoted daily exercise classes in the home to help people develop and maintain their strength," said the report.

"This had resulted in successful outcomes for people. For example, one person came to the home in a wheelchair unable to support themselves.

"Through the dedication of the staff team in ensuring they did up to six sessions of exercises a day, through gradually building up the complexity of exercises they were now able to access the community and order their own drink at the pub, one of their goals."

The home was said to go the "extra mile" for people, for example staying with people into the night if they were admitted to hospital.

Managers said of the report: "We are delighted with the outcome of our first inspection and see it as a remarkable achievement after only one year.

"The staff have worked tirelessly to provide the very best care for our residents and we are really proud of them. We are committed to maintaining our outstanding rating and would like to thank those who have supported us on our journey."