A WOMAN has hailed the ‘dedicated and compassionate' palliative care which her mother received at a York care home in the final days of her life.

Joy Bett was speaking out after Minster Grange received a ‘good’ rating in every category in its most recent report by the watchdog body, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Ms Bett said her mother Joyce, a former nurse, died in September aged 95 after spending three years at the home in Haxby Road.

She said the home was 'clean and fresh,' the care workers were genuinely caring and kind, the management team had an open door and always responded to her anxieties, and her mother was happy there.

She said that in her mother's final days, she witnessed excellent palliative care that could not be improved upon.

"In an atmosphere that was peaceful, private and respectful, I came to admire the dedication and compassion of the staff," she said.

"Thanks to the tact, sympathy and expertise of the staff, every need of my mother was met respectfully."

Ms Bett, of Terrington, said she was kept informed at every step and all the carers came to say goodbye to her mother, behaving like an extended family.

"The manager Alison Redhead, deputy manager and carers came to the funeral and I could not imagine any way in which her end of life care could be improved upon."

Earlier this year, The Press reported that the CQC required improvements at the home after being alerted by two sisters who put a secret camera in their father's bedroom amid concerns about aspects of his care.

The CQC has since carried out another unannounced inspection in the summer and said in its report that all five key areas - is the service safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led - were 'good.'

It said people received care and support from staff that had the skills and knowledge to understand their role, were supported in pursuing interests and activities of their choosing and 'everybody spoke positively about the way the service was managed.'

It said: "People were protected from avoidable harm and abuse.The home was clean and fresh....The service was caring. People's privacy and dignity was respected by staff....Everybody spoke highly of management at the home."