A WROUGHTON nursing home is celebrating after being clinching two prestigious awards in close succession.

Moormead House has been named as the Best Nursing Home in Wiltshire at the 2017 Social Care Awards, they also clinched the Outstanding Quality of Care Award.

Leading industry publication, Global Health and Pharma, described the home as a “leading light in elderly care.”

They said: “All involved at Moormead offer the highest level of commitment to their residents, and do everything in their power to make them feel at home.”

News of the recognition has delighted the staff at Moormead - it is even more welcome given the sense of doom and gloom that has surrounded the care sector in recent years.

“The team are absolutely chuffed, you get so much bad press about care homes that this is really good news,” said owner and manager Steve Sharp

“I’ve been here for 17 years and I’ve seen a lot of changes. There’s a lack of funding - they want a five star service but they’re only willing to pay for two star.

“This award shows what we’ve been able to achieve despite that. Most of our team have been here with me for the 17 years, it’s a really happy team and we don’t get many people leaving.

“I’m very pleased for them.”

Moormead is home to 21 residents, mostly from the local area. They look after people with dementia as well as those who need nursing or palliative care.

Stays vary in length, some people end up at the home for much longer than they anticipated.

When Sean Devaney arrived at Moormead he thought he had just weeks or months to live, but two and a half years on he is still going strong.

“Ever since I got here they’ve kept an eye on me,” said 72-year-old Sean. “They’re all great, I think I’ve become like part of the furniture.

“I never thought I would come across a place like this, nobody tells you what to do they just want to have a laugh and a joke and look after you.”

An inspection in April last year by the Care Quality Commission saw Moormead rated as good across the board. Inspectors described the atmosphere as “warm, friendly and welcoming.”

Staff were praised for their professional knowledge and their cheerful approach, the families of the residents felt their loved ones were safe and being well looked after.

Emma Godbold, activities co-ordinator at Moormead for the part two years, said the staff were really pleased with the awards.

“I really enjoy it here,” she said. “We’re a close team, we all get on so well and that reflects in how we work.

“It’s just so nice to see something positive about care homes with all the negatives that you hear.”