THE standard of care at a Cheshire nursing home is being monitored by Cheshire Social Services and the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC).

But bosses at Thornton Manor Nursing Home have denied there are any causes for complaint and point to the many letters of praise and thanks they have received from families of relatives who have stayed there.

Among the 47 residents at the Thornton-le-Moors home are 34 social services clients.

Speaking for Cheshire Social Services Di Dunkerley said: 'Cheshire Social Services and West Cheshire Primary Care Trust have some concerns about the care provided at Thornton Manor Nursing Home.

'The situation is being monitored closely and all residents and families are being kept informed of the situation.

'Meanwhile, we are working closely with the home owner and the National Care Standards Commission to seek to resolve the problems.'

The home, a former manor house, offers 24-hour care for residents amid a range of facilities with room prices ranging from £296-£600 per week.

On its website the home says: 'Our priority is to always give individual care within a calm and relaxed atmosphere. The emphasis is always on doing things with residents, rather than for them.'

They add: 'The ethos at Thornton Manor is to recognise each resident as a unique individual and to provide an approach to care which fulfils their emotional, spiritual, social and physical needs.'

Inspectors have visited the site in the past and the last announced inspection took place on June 24. The full report is yet to be published.

A NCSC spokesperson said: 'The NCSC does have concerns with certain aspects of the care at Thornton Manor Nursing Home.

'It is the job of the NCSC to protect service users and we will not tolerate a situation where the well-being of service users is threatened. The NCSC is continuing to monitor the home, working closely with Cheshire Social Services Department to ensure that standards of care at the home improve.'

The NCSC is an independent regulatory public body responsible for the registration and inspection of services.

Thornton Manor proprietor Barry Potton strongly refuted the concerns.

He said: 'We are confident that there are no issues or causes for complaint about the service that we provide.'