A care home that was placed in special measures due to multiple breaches of regulation has been upgraded by CQC inspectors.

Andrew Smith House in Nelson, which cares for those with dementia, learning or physical disabilities, who require nursing or personal care, was rated 'inadequate' in three out of five service areas by the health and social care body at its last inspection in November 2019.

CQC inspectors found the residential establishment had failed to provide adequate inductions and training for staff, had failed to recruit staff safely, had a poor medicines management, lacked effective infection control practices, failed to act upon complaints, and lacked effective management of the service.

Given six months to improve, inspectors returned to the Marsden Hall Road home on September 17, and despite the service still needing to make changes in the caring and responsive areas, they found it had made huge steps to ensure the service was safe, well-led and effective and received a rating of 'good' in all three of these areas.

The latest inspection stated: "The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve.

"At this inspection we found improvements had been made in the key questions of safe, effective and well-led, and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

"The service is no longer rated as 'inadequate' overall or in any of the key questions.

"Therefore, this service is no longer in special measures."

Upon visiting the care home, residents said they felt safe and everyone inspectors spoke with was happy with the staffing levels.

People living at the home and their relatives told the CQC that standards had improved since the last inspection, with one relative saying: "You can see a significant difference in the last six months.

"The working practices are a lot better and the management seems good, much better than it was."

The inspection report also noted that residents were getting more attention from staff, and were much happier.

Additionally, the CQC found significant improvements had been made in relation to managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirements.

One staff member said: "Standards of care have improved significantly, it's like a different home.

"The residents are happy again."