TEA at The Ritz was the order of the day at a Sherborne care home’s celebration party to mark an ‘outstanding’ inspection.

Staff, residents, families and friends at Abbey View, in Bristol Road, were partying after receiving an ‘outstanding’ rating from regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The inspection verdict puts the Colten Care home into the top four per cent of care homes nationally, bosses said.

In her welcome speech to guests at the celebration event, home manager Elena Barna spoke of her team’s “immense pride and joy” at the rating.

“It is testament to a great deal of work and the tireless pursuit of excellence,” she said. “We put everything into the care of our residents and respond to their wishes.

“It’s not just about physical improvements but their overall quality of life.

“We take pride in what we offer but with this CQC recognition comes the responsibility to continue to improve and make the home even better.”

Abbey View was assessed across four criteria – being safe, effective, responsive and well led – during an unannounced three-day inspection in June.

A 19-page report highlights ‘exceptional and distinctive’ service leadership and staff with ‘outstanding skills’ and ‘an excellent understanding of people’s individual needs’.

Inspectors wrote: “We saw a team co-operating with each other and working together to provide people with support.

“People had been provided with outstanding care and support leading to an outstanding quality of life.”

The CQC team praised many aspects of life at ‘comfortable and homely’ Abbey View, from the care team’s approach to call bell handling and falls prevention to the opportunities afforded to residents to be active and maintain community links.

“There are a wide range of opportunities for people to get involved in activities that suit their individual wishes,” the report said.

During the celebration party, guests wore bowler hats with golden headbands or feathers, enjoying glasses of fizz and tasty treats such as sponge cakes, scones, strawberry pana cotta and finger sandwiches.

They were entertained by pianist Kevin Pritchard, a member of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, who performed a series of light classical pieces.

Colten Care chief executive, Mark Aitchison, said: “What Abbey View has achieved typifies the Colten standard across our 21 homes.

“The rating is further proof that the journey of continual improvement and the vision to be Outstanding runs right through our culture, it is part of our DNA.

“With a third of our homes rated Outstanding and our 14 other homes all rated as good, Colten Care is both a beacon of nursing care excellence and industry leading.”

He added: “You are truly one team, led from the front by Elena.

“The challenge is to maintain and evolve those high standards every day, something I know everyone is totally focused on.”

Abbey View resident Roy Carne said: “The whole team deserve sincere thanks for everything they do to make our quality of life so rich.”

Fellow resident John Firmin said: “I came into care unwillingly but now I feel no regrets. It is the best choice I could have made as this is my home now.”

Also attending the party was Elaine Farrer, Colten Care’s chief operating officer, who said: “This fantastic achievement is testimony to the hard work and whole team approach at Abbey View.

“Elena has worked hard with her team and the report clearly showcases the journey they have been on together and the passion and commitment they show to residents and families.”

Speaking after the rating was announced, MP Chris Loder (Con, West Dorset) praised the home.

“It is a testament to the hard-working staff of Abbey View that the CQC have given the care home its highest possible rating,” he said.

For more information and to read the report in full, visit https://www.cqc.org.uk.