A care home has been praised after successfully ensuring they didn't have an outbreak of coronavirus.

Firstlings in Heybridge received an 'outstanding' rating in their latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after the management team ensured that no outbreak of coronavirus occurred in the care home despite them taking in three new residents during lockdown.

Enough personal protective equipment was on site for all staff and worn appropriately and uniforms were changed and washed before every shift.

The report said: "The management team led by example and worked as part of the team to combat Covid-19.

"There had been no outbreak of Covid-19 in the service.

"The service had taken three new people from the community into the service during lockdown and had done this effectively to keep everyone safe."

The care home provides a service for 32 older people, some of who are living with dementia

The report added: " The service had been proactive and creative in helping people understand about Covid-19 and its effects, prevention, spread and control.

"This included the use of picture cards, games, discussion, and one to one support with trying out masks.

"People were supported to see their families in the garden and a clear process and facilities had been put in place to make this happen.

"People were supported to observe social distancing whilst meeting with their families.

"Detailed risk assessments had been carried out for people who used the service and staff.

"This ensured that everyone's characteristics such as age, sex, ethnicity and circumstances were considered to ensure risks to the spread of infection were minimised for those most vulnerable."

In 2019 Firstlings made the top 20 out of 1,690 other care homes to recieved an award from carehome.co.uk.