Inspectors give seal of approval to Rustington care home

Home news

Apr 16, 2014

Inspectors have given Care UK’s Darlington Court in Rustington their seal of approval following two visits and after hearing praise from residents and their families for the level of care offered at the home.

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) inspectors visited in both October and January to review the home’s work and inspectors found that the home meets the Government’s five standards of quality and safety which are:

• Treating people with respect and involving them in their care;
• Providing care, treatment & support that meets people's needs;
• Caring for people safely & protecting them from harm;
• Staffing; and
• Management.

They found that the home, on The Leas, had made changes to procedures, changed its approach to staffing and worked to involve residents and their families in the care and treatment offered. The changes followed an inspection in June last year, which found that these areas needed attention.

During the visits inspectors observed the service in action, talked to residents, relatives and team members and checked records and rotas. They also heard from relatives about the level of care given at the home. One told inspectors: “The home and people within it are very caring. The manager is prepared to sort out any problems we have. The staff care, and are so kind,” while another relative commented: “Darlington Court is a happy, caring place with jolly good staff – that includes everyone.”

On each of their two visits, inspectors spoke to some of the home’s residents who stay there for rehabilitation between time in hospital and going home. One said: “The care I have received is very good. The nurses are very friendly. They listen to you. I couldn't eat when I came in. The staff were so patient. Now I can eat normally again.” Others said that the manager visited them in hospital to assess their needs.

Inspectors found that care records demonstrated that people's needs had been assessed and appropriate care plans had been drawn up.

The report says: “The manager demonstrated the improvements and amendments that had been made to records to ensure care and treatment had been delivered appropriately and safely. She informed us they had visited other services which specialised in the provision of rehabilitation care … to research how records could be developed to ensure they reflected individual needs and goals in terms of nursing care and rehabilitation.”

Manager Linda Currie said: “I am really proud of what my team have achieved and the level of care we give residents – the improvements we have made reflect our commitment to their care and welfare and I am glad that our hard work has been acknowledged by the inspectors.”

Staffing levels have now been set according to the findings and guidance from the Royal College of Nursing, so that the home has the right numbers and combination of skills to meet residents’ needs. Inspectors checked rotas to confirm this and also talked to residents about their views on staffing levels. One person told them: “I think it's pretty good,” and another said:  “I don't know, but there are enough staff when I need help!”

Residents’ involvement in their own care and treatment was demonstrated by those talking to the inspectors, as well as by a review of the home’s records – one resident said: “I have seen my care plan and am happy with it. I believe I am getting the care and support I need. Every day, the physiotherapist visits me. I am helped out of bed and I am helped to stand and to walk with a frame. They have given me a bed frame which will help me to get up out of bed when I go home.”

A relative commented: “The staff spend a lot of time talking to my family member. They need a lot of reassurance as they have dementia. They also get the care they need, they are happy. I believe my family member is loved.”