STAFF at a care home that required improvement are thrilled to have received a good rating by inspectors.

Poplars Nursing Home in Braintree was days away from closure last year, as it could not get a public liability insurance renewal.

The home in Clockhouse Way had been told it required improvement in April last year, which meant insurance companies were steering clear.

Residents were saved at the last minute at manager James Ong managed to find cover for personal injury and property damage.

The home was inspected again in March and a report has just been published. The home received a 'good' rating in all categories.

The report said: "The manager had written an action plan to address these issues and at this inspection we found that significant improvements in all areas had been made."

The service provides 24-hour care for people with mental health needs and learning disabilities.

The report said: "At our last inspection people were not always effectively protected, because systems for the management people's finances were not clear.

"At this inspection, we saw that the manager had worked effectively and gained support from the local authority to greatly improve the systems."

The watchdogs said at the last inspection the staff training was not effective.

The latest report said: "At this inspection we saw records and were told by staff things had greatly improved.

"Staff now felt that they were supported through supervision, a yearly appraisal and had all the training they required to meet the needs of the people who used the service."

Mr Ong, who has worked at the home for 20 years, said he welcomed the positive development and what happened last year was "unchartered territory".

He said: "We have moved on and we have made quite a lot of adjustments.

"Well done to the staff for making the changes and I'd like to extend the gratitude to residents and their families.

"I'm just really pleased at the turnaround, it's really positive."