A CARE centre in Salisbury that opened at the height of the pandemic has been praised for its “high-quality care” after impressing inspectors.

Little Manor Care Centre on Manor Farm Road has been awarded a ‘Good’ rating across all five areas by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), recognising its work supporting patients to recover and return home after hospital stays.

The result marks a significant milestone for the service, which first reopened in November 2020 during one of the most challenging periods in modern healthcare.

Originally set up as a Hospital Discharge Support Unit for Wiltshire, Little Manor played a crucial role during the pandemic – caring for people with Covid who were not eligible for hospital treatment, as well as those needing end-of-life care.

Despite those pressures, the centre quickly established a reputation for compassionate, person-centred support – something inspectors say continues today.

Since then, the service has evolved into a specialist rehabilitation centre, helping people regain independence, rebuild mobility and safely return home.

It is currently the only service of its kind in the county and is free to access, funded through a partnership between Wiltshire Council and the NHS.

Inspectors highlighted strong recovery outcomes, effective teamwork between health and social care professionals and a safe, well-managed environment.

The centre also plays a key role in easing pressure on local hospitals, including Salisbury District Hospital, by helping patients leave hospital sooner.

Registered care manager at Little Manor Care Centre Jodie Airey said: “We are incredibly proud of this result, which reflects the hard work, commitment and compassion of our entire team.

“Little Manor was built on a strong sense of purpose during one of the most challenging periods in healthcare, and it is fantastic to see that recognised. We remain committed to delivering outstanding care and supporting people in regaining their independence and returning home safely.”