8 February 2018
During a routine inspection
People using the service lived in 10 ordinary flats in one building in Hucknall, Nottingham. Other people who did not receive personal care services, also lived in this building.
A registered manager was present during the inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Mears Care Darlison Court currently supports 10 people who receive some element of support with their personal care. This is the service’s first inspection under its current registration.
People felt safe when staff supported them. Staff knew who to contact if they had concerns about people’s safety. Risks to people’s health and safety were assessed and acted on. Safe staff recruitment processes were in place. Enough staff were available to meet people’s needs. Safe medicine management processes were in place and people received their prescribed medicines safely. A review of the use of ‘as needed’ medicines was carried out following our inspection. Staff understood how to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. Processes were in place to investigate accidents and incidents appropriately.
People’s care was provided in line with current legislation and best practice guidelines, without discrimination. Staff were well trained and their performance was regularly assessed. People’s food and drink intake was monitored to ensure conditions such as diabetes were managed effectively. Effective relationships with external health and social care organisations were in place and people’s health was regularly monitored. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; there were policies and systems in the service support this practice. However, we did note the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 had not been correctly applied when decisions were made for one person.
People felt staff treated them well and were kind, caring and respectful. Staff were compassionate and offered people reassurance when needed. Information about how to contact an independent advocate was available in communal areas but not in people’s homes. Staff treated people with dignity and formed positive relationships with them. People’s confidential records were treated respectfully and stored securely.
Prior to starting with the service, people’s needs were assessed and care plans developed to enable staff to respond to their needs. Staff monitored people’s changing health well. External professionals were requested to offer guidance and support for people and staff. People’s individual preferences had been taken into account when their care was planned. People’s cultural and religious needs were discussed with them and staff were aware of the support needed with this. People were treated equally, without discrimination and systems were in place to support people who had communication needs. People felt able to make a complaint and were confident it would be dealt with appropriately.
People felt their opinions mattered and told us they enjoyed living at Darlison Court. Staff enjoyed their jobs and felt valued. Excellent staff performance was rewarded. People and staff told us they would recommend this service to others. The registered manager was well liked and worked hard to implement the provider’s values into the service. The registered manager and the provider continually looked to improve the service. Quality assurance processes were in place and these were effective.