STAFF at a care home in Ulverston have been praised for their "kindness and compassion".

The Care Quality Commission carried out an inspection of Elmhurst, in Priory Road, in November.

Staff at the 40-bed care home were praised for the way they give residents "maximum choice and control of their lives".

Inspectors said in the report: “Staff were kind and caring towards people and had developed trusting and mutually respectful relationships with them, knowing them in detail, including their histories, interests, likes and dislikes.

“We saw that staff treated them with kindness and compassion and made sure their dignity was maintained.”

The care home was rated as good at providing a safe, effective, caring and well-led service while the service’s responsiveness was rated outstanding.

Overall Elmhurst received a good rating.

The inspection report highlighted the way staff interact with the local community.

The registered manager and staff were "highly responsive and creative in finding ways to involve people in the local community and to maintain and develop new interests to improve their quality of life” the report said.

It continued: “There was an excellent range of activities and opportunities available to people inside and outside the home.

“The service provided a consistently high standard of compassionate end of life care and took into consideration the needs of relatives and friends."

"Staff felt valued by the management team and demonstrated high levels of commitment.”

Councillor Patricia Bell, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for health and care services, said: “I’d like to say congratulations to everyone involved in the running of Elmhurst Care Home and in particular our employees who work tirelessly to look after their residents and enrich their lives.

“It’s a huge achievement and a well-deserved acknowledgement of the quality of care that Cumbria care staff provide.”