In the current climate of a horrifying story about a nursing home every other week, I would like to bring to your attention to a different kind of tale.

A few months ago my elderly mother (a Devizes resident) quite suddenly and dramatically needed help and medical care.

Having been a fiercely independent and self-reliant woman, this came as a cause of distress in her 89th year.

The care given by the local services was fast and adequate and she was very quickly installed into Avonmead Nursing Home.

She was treated here with respect, kindness and patience. The level of care was exceptional, her personal considerations were discussed and taken into account. She had a clean pleasant room with a wonderful aspect over the canal.

The manager, Janet Rowland, had time to talk to me and consult with me over my mother’s needs and nursing care. All the staff were polite, informative and kind, often giving that extra bit for my mother’s benefit.

I was rung at home and kept fully informed of every part of my mother’s progress and care.

I would nearly always find staff sitting and talking to my mother when I visited.

I was also always offered refreshments or a meal, and asked about my own welfare.

For what was an extremely distressing emotional experience, I cannot stress how much support I was given, as well as my mother, in her final days.

I would recommend this home to anybody facing the same situation.

There are kind people on this planet.

Sonja Eagle, Felmer Drive, Winchester.