Rustington care home criticised by inspectors – again

Darlington Court, in The Leas, requires improvement in four of the key five areas checked by the independent regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the latest inspection has revealed.

Monitors found the home – which is run by Care UK – required improvement in its overall safety, effectiveness, responsiveness and leadership.

However, the watchdog did report staff were caring towards residents, rating this aspect of the centre as ‘good’.

The inspection came almost 18 months after a previous evaluation criticised the site, claiming it had failed to meet standards.

Responding to the latest report, Care UK’s regional director Sue Polden said: “I am sorry that some aspects of care at Darlington Court have fallen below the standards which residents and their families deserve.”

The report, revealed last week, said staffing levels were ‘not sufficient to keep people safe’.

It added that where people had developed pressure ulcers, their wound care was ‘not managed safely as staff lacked the necessary knowledge and skills’.

Inspectors claimed residents’ medicines were not always administered safely as there were gaps in the recording.

The report also said care records were ‘at risk of being completed inconsistently’ and complaints had not always been handled in line with the provider’s policy.

Mrs Polden said since the evaluation, the home had been working hard to boost standards. She said: “We fully take on board the CQC’s comments and have already begun implementing a comprehensive action plan that addresses all of the inspectors’ feedback.

“We have also written to all residents and their relatives to apologise for the shortcomings and to explain what we are doing to ensure the home delivers a good standard of care in the near future.

“With the support of our senior team, the home manager and deputy manager are working hard to make the necessary changes as quickly as is realistically possible, while making sure those good standards can be maintained going forward.”

She added refresher training, reviewing of rotas and updating care plans, as well as making changes to the home’s administration, were also taking place, and that Care UK would continue to monitor standards closely and build on the positive comments from inspectors.