A care home in Cumbria has earned its fifth award for gold-standard care in nursing homes, becoming the first of its kind in the UK.

Silloth Nursing Home has catered to the needs of West Cumbrian people since its opening in 1862.

The care home has been part of the Gold Standard Framework (GSF) since 2010 and in September of this year, it received gold standard accreditation for a record-breaking fifth time. 

It was the only care home of 117 organisations throughout the country to receive this accolade, with manager Lianne Searby paying tribute to all of the staff for their hard work and commitment.

She said: "Sustaining this well-respected accreditation, has highlighted that GSF has significantly contributed to the high quality of care we provide to our residents, both in the end stages of life and when promoting a quality of life throughout our residents' whole journey with us.

"The Gold Standards Framework is at the very heart of everything we stand for, of everything we do, and everything we will continue to do."

The GSF aims to enable a gold standard of care for everyone and wants to ensure that people live well before they die and die well in the place and manner of their choosing.

Natalie Kuechel suggests that Silloth Nursing Home is the best of any care home she has ever worked at. 

She said: "This is honestly one of the nicest nursing and residential homes that I have ever come across. Every member of staff, from bottom to top, does absolutely everything they possibly can for the residents. It's just wonderful. The residents are so happy and comfortable.

"Its quality in end-of-life care is the best I've ever seen in any health organisation. The care and the consideration they put into these residents at the end of their lives is just amazing."

Natalie's comments were certainly backed up by one resident, who has lived at Silloth Nursing Home for eight years. 

He said: "If you have a loved one and want them to have the best care, then this is the place to be."