A WESTHOUGHTON home for people with dementia has fought its way back into the good books of the health watchdog.

Wingates Residential Home has gone from requiring improvement to being awarded an overall good rating by the Care Quality Commission.

It follows an inspection last month, when 30 people were living at the 36-capacity residency based in Chorley Road.

Inspectors rated Wingates good for safety, care, responsiveness and leadership, and spoke to residents, their families, members of care staff, the cook and registered manager.

The report read: "People told us they felt safe at the home. There was a robust recruitment procedure, which helped ensure staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people.

"People told us staff were kind and caring and we observed friendly and respectful interactions throughout the day. People's privacy and dignity was respected.

"There were a number of activities on offer at the home as well as entertainers and celebrations of special occasions. People were supported to follow their own interests."

The previous inspection took place in November, 2015, when the service was given an overall rating of 'requires improvement', with concerns around staffing levels, the dining experience, lack of staff supervisions and lack of person-centred care plans.

Last month staffing levels were found to be meeting the needs of the service users and were flexible enough to meet changing needs, with supervisions and meetings undertaken regularly.

It was noted that residents were "well presented and looked clean and smart" and their choices, wishes, likes and dislikes recorded and adhered to.

There were also good links with the local churches and schools.

The report also praised the manager for being "approachable and supportive".

It added: "The system of recruitment was robust enough to help protect people from being cared for by unsuitable staff

"We observed that there was a friendly and relaxed atmosphere within the home. Staff interaction was good and people were spoken to in a kind and respectful way.

Some areas of decor and bedding at the home were found to be requiring improvement.

The report also noted residents with dementia walked around freely and required plenty natural or bright electrical light but lighting was described as "dismal" in some parts of the home.

However plans were in place for improvements.