A WASHED-OUT care home in Peebles has been highly praised by government inspectors.

December's floods forced all 24 residents at Peebles Nursing Home to be evacuated.

They were initially moved to a council-run home in Galashiels before being transferred again in February to former dementia unit, Craw Wood, at Tweedbank.

Despite the upheaval, The Care Inspectorate has this week returned a glowing report for the service.

The report stated: "The service managed this crisis and its aftermath in an organised and systematic way, making sure that people living in the service experienced minimal disruption.

"The manner in which the two moves were organised meant the staff group remained relatively consistent. This provided continuity and security for the people living in the service.

"Despite the disruption and the organisational challenges facing the service during this period, staff have continued to work on developing the service - for example, we saw continued improvement in care planning and recording."

All four gradings - Quality of care and support, Quality of environment, Quality of staffing, and Quality of management and leadership - were awarded Very Good by inspectors during their visits in June to Craw Wood.

Service users, their families, staff and management were all interviewed during the inspections.

The report added: "We saw that care plans and daily notes were written in a way that showed care, concern and respect for each individual.

"We observed staff consistently helping people to make their own choices and supported them in carrying the decision through.

"We concluded the quality of the care and support delivered to individuals within the service was of an excellent standard."

Peebles Nursing Home, which is owned by the Mansfield Care group, will remain at Tweedbank until renovation and repair work at their premises in Peebles has been completed.