An Ardrossan care home has been praised for improvements to its services following a series of inspections.

Watchdog body the Care Inspectorate visited the 42 bedroom South Beach House in the towns' South Crescent Road last month and on two previous occasions in January and October.

Following the January inspection, the watchdog body issued a list of seven required improvements to the home's management.

The follow-up unannounced visit by two inspectors took place on March 15 and their report made public this week.

It said:"The service has continued to make improvements since the last inspection.

"Management have introduced improved systems for monitoring peoples safety, health and wellbeing.

"A number of care plans have been updated to reflect current needs of residents.

"Staff reported that they feel more confident in relation to the expectations of their role.

"Management are continuing to move forward with refurbishing areas of the care home."

The latest inspection highlighted improvements in the quality of patients care plans, with them now being updated and reviewed every month.

The inspectors had previously highlighted the need to keep proper records to ensure patients got the right help and staff were able to identify any dangers to them.

Their report added: "The care plans sampled had been updated with current information, linked to risk assessments directing how support should be provided."

Following a previous unannounced visit in January the inspectors had described patients wellbeing, leadership, staff training, setting, and care and support in the home as adequate.

Following last month's visit, the quality of care and support was given the same 'adequate' rating.

However no fresh assessment was given to the other four categories.

The latest report also highlighted improvements by the home's management in recording what patients were drinking, the prevention of falls and fracture, and cleanliness and safety of equipment used in the home including wheelchairs

Management and staff were given until later this month to meet the inspectors' requirements on staff training procedures and fire safety and training.

A spokesperson for owners CrossReach said: “Over the last year CrossReach has been working to make improvements at South Beach House and we were pleased that the Care Inspectorate recognised this progress in their latest report.

"The report also identified some required improvements.

"The staff at South Beach House have been working closely with the Care Inspectorate to make these improvements and we are optimistic that we will fulfil all the requirements within the time frame.”