A DORSET care home has been hailed as ‘outstanding’ and for providing “exceptional service” to people with life-limiting conditions. 

The Care Quality Commission has given top marks to Abbey View in Sherborne following an unannounced inspection in June. 

Abbey View is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 52 people, 44 people were living here at the time of the inspection. 

Previously rated as ‘good’, the service was rated as outstanding for being responsive and well-led, with inspectors finding it ‘good’ for being safe and effective.  

Roger James, CQC deputy director of operations in the south, said: “When we inspected Abbey View, we saw a home that was providing exceptional service to people, especially those with life-limiting neurological conditions such as motor neurone disease. 

“It was brilliant to see the partnership the home had formed with a local hospice, to provide staff with training to help meet people’s individual needs.  

“As a result, people were being provided with outstanding care and support and just as importantly, an outstanding quality of life.” 

He said people the CQC spoke with found it to be “overwhelmingly positive about the exceptional levels of care and support they got from staff”. 

Mr James added the atmosphere was “extremely warm and welcoming” and that staff offered residents care, dignity and respect. 

It was lovely to see such a variety of activities and events that were organised by the home ensuring people led meaningful and interesting lives. 

“We found this to be a well-led and extremely responsive service that focused on people’s needs and the whole team deserves to be congratulated for all their hard work and commitment,” he added. 

“Other services can look to it as an example of the high standards of care people should expect.”