A WORCESTERSHIRE care home has achieved the highest possible national rating for its standard of care.

Brookdale Nursing Home in Kidderminster has been awarded the Gold Standard Framework quality hallmark award, a rare industry accreditation which rates care homes on excellence in end of life care, family relations and medical support.

Care manager Liz Baker said: “My whole team continues to work tirelessly to improve the already excellent levels of care we provide. We received the top standard three years ago so being awarded it this time round would mean trying to improve even further. That was no easy task and every single member of the team has made a contribution. I think the variety of initiatives we’ve introduced have made all the difference. We have a dedicated GP who knows every resident, hospital admissions have been reduced and through our regular meetings we are on top of any resident queries or one-to-one support they need. We are passionate about being there for our residents through our end of life care programme, but we also see how important it is to encourage relatives to be part of life at the home and part of our extended family. We are so proud.”

It is the second time the home has been given top marks, after being awarded Gold status in 2011. Homes are accredited every three years and are only awarded the top rating twice if staff show not only they have maintained, but have improved, excellent standards.

To keep the Quality Hallmark Award for three years Brookdale has took part in strict annual appraisals to ensure it has kept up its high levels of care. The home, which is registered for up to 40 residents, will now be used by the awarding body as a national example of best practice.

Mrs Baker and deputy manager Claire Brookes will collect the award on September 26 at a ceremony held at the Institute of Education in London.

Brookdale Nursing Home is part of the Redwood Healthcare Group. Earlier this summer it opened a specially-built dementia garden for residents following a £10,000 investment.