A CARE home in Taunton is turning over a new leaf with an official reopening after a £300,000 refurbishment and a management change. 

Sherford Manor Care Home, Wyvern Road, was rated by the Care Quality Commission is April as "inadequate" before upgrading it to "requires improvement" in August. 

Concerns over feeding diabetic patients high-sugar diets, not treating patients with respect, and placing patient's Zimmer-frames out of reach, were highlighted in the inadequate report.

But provider Larchwood Care has £319,000 into the home in order to make the necessary improvements, including hiring a new manager. 

The refurbishments have seen an upgrade of the decor as well as less-visable improvements such as a new boiler and fire alarm panel.

The mayor of Taunton Deane, Cllr Hazel Prior-Sankey visited the home on its official reopening to help mark the new beginning.

Cllr Prior-Sankey toured the facilities and spoke to some residents about their care and experience at the home.

Cllr Hazel Prior-Sankey said: “It is lovely to be at Sherford Manor today to celebrate a new beginning. Well done to all the staff on this achievement. It has been great to meet so many of the residents and enjoying the party.”

New manager Katrina Ball says that the staff have worked "incredibly" hard to improve the home's service.

She said: “We are delighted to be relaunching Sherford Manor, after the significant investment Larchwood Care has made in improving the home. We wanted to make it a very special occasion, and felt there was no better way than inviting the Mayor to cut the ribbon for us.

“The care of our residents is our highest priority, and it is essential for us to continuously improve our service to ensure the best care possible. The staff have worked incredibly hard, and I am very proud of what they have achieved.”