INSPECTORS have hailed a North Yorkshire care home as ‘outstanding’ and a ‘vibrant, happy and thriving community.’

A glowing report has been issued by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) about St John’s House in Kirk Hammerton following an unannounced visit.

The home is already famous after a group of residents secured themselves a place in the Guinness Book of Records in 2013 as the oldest choir in the world, with an average age of 91, and the CQC report said inspectors found a ‘vibrant, happy and thriving community.’

It said: “There was a stimulating, active environment with plenty of fun and laughter

“People's feedback about the service was consistently high and people told us the care they received was "magnificent," "marvellous," and "fantastic."

“People told us they were treated with great kindness and compassion and there was excellent communication at all levels.”

The report said warm and caring relationships were effectively promoted and staff knew how to respect people's privacy, dignity and human rights.

It said residents were involved in decisions, for example by actively participating in staff recruitment, and robust recruitment systems were in place to recruit staff safely.

All staff received induction training, which introduced them to the culture and values of the service, and specific training for people's individual needs.

“There was a health and wellbeing champion who met with the GP each week to discuss people's health care, which ensured that people's welfare remained under constant review.”

The report said there was a very good standard of comfort and cleanliness, with one resident describing the accommodation as ‘always spotless.’

One member of staff had responsibility for the safe management of medicines to ensure people received the right medicines at the right time and these were handled safely.

The report said the home, which is owned by Clifton St Anne's Personal Care Services Limited and whose manager is Andrea Wood, was extremely well led.

“Effective, well developed management systems were in place to safeguard people and promote their wellbeing.

“We found there was a mutually respectful culture, which recognised and valued the contribution made by both the people living and working at the service.

“Management actively sought the views of people using the service, relatives and staff and acted upon those views to provide a high-quality service with a strong emphasis on continual improvement and best practice.”