A CARE home has been rated 'outstanding' by a national health care watchdog.

Cherry Tree Lodge Care Home in Rawtenstall was awarded the highest Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating for both its responsiveness and leadership following an inspection earlier this year.

The Bury Road home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 23 older people mainly living with dementia.

It has become the first care home in East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group area to be awarded ‘outstanding’.

It was an improvement on the home's previous inspection, which judged the overall service as good.

The CQC said this was due to the excellent way in which the service was led and the commitment from staff to deliver high quality, responsive and compassionate care.

A CQC report reads: “Throughout our inspection, we found the registered manager and staff were committed to the continuous improvement of the service and passionate about their work. They were dedicated to making people feel valued and improving people's care and self-esteem.

“The philosophy and values of the home were known to staff and followed without exception. Staff told us the registered manager led by example to ensure people received high quality, personalised care. People told us they were made to feel cared for, welcomed and involved. Without exception, everyone spoken with made positive comments about the management of Cherry Tree Lodge and said they would not hesitate to recommend the home to others.”

Adele Thornburn, nursing and quality manager working with the regulated care sector at East Lancashire CCG area, and regulated care programme manager across Pennine-Lancashire, described the rating as 'absolutely fantastic news and very well deserved.'

She said: "I have no doubt that Louise and her team are entirely dedicated and excellent, and this is testament to all their hard work. I am delighted that they have achieved this.”

Louise Testa, registered manager at Cherry Tree Lodge, said: “Without question the links I have forged with the CCG through Adele and how she has brought attention to regulated care in terms of supporting and working together with the NHS for better outcomes for everyone has helped us grow and provide outstanding care, the likes of which we have now been recognised for, so I thank her, as well as my team, immeasurably.”