A HOWLEY care home that was placed in special measures two years ago has been given a clean bill of health by inspectors.

Birch Court Care Home on Egerton Street, which provides nursing, convalescence, palliative and respite care for up to 150 older people, has been rated as good by the Care Quality Commission following an unannounced inspection in March.

The positive report comes two years after the watchdog had said that the Bupa-run home was inadequate due to concerns over residents being at risk of malnutrition and dehydration.

But inspectors found that residents are now 'well care for' while staff showed 'patience, kindness and compassion'.

While staff numbers had previously been highlighted as an issue, the CQC said that the provision of employees was now 'responsive to the numbers of people' living at Birch Court Care Home.

Inspectors also 'observed a positive culture within the home' while staff members were 'proud of the services provided'.

The home's general manager Jane Abdoh said: “I’m delighted with the result of the CQC report and the positive feedback that it included.

“The report is testament to the people at Birch Court who work extremely hard to ensure essential standards are maintained and improved upon to make this a homely, safe and comfortable environment for our residents to live in.”

Meanwhile, Arlington House Residential Care Home in Stockton Heath has also been rated as good by the CQC.

The Ackers Road home was subject to an unannounced inspection in February.

Inspectors said that care was 'focussed solely on people's needs, wishes and individual preferences' while residents were 'treated with dignity and respect'.