Darlington Court care home wins approval of national care inspectors

Home news

Jul 15, 2016

Care UK’s Darlington Court care home on The Leas off Station Road in Littlehampton has been given the seal of approval by a national care watchdog, with relatives and residents praising the home’s caring team members.

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) report gave Darlington Court an overall ‘good’ rating, following an unannounced inspection of the care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care.  

In order to assess service standards at Darlington Court, the CQC’s inspector spoke with team members, residents and their visiting relatives on the day of the inspection. They also reviewed the records and procedures already in place at the care home.

Inspectors noted that people are looked after by kind and caring staff who knew them well. Staff are encouraged to sit and chat with a different person they did not know well in a daily event, 'Tea at 3'

The report goes on to say that people are supported to express their views and to be involved in decisions about their care and were treated with dignity and respect, with each resident having an individualised care plan. 

The CQC findings were echoed by residents and staff, with one of the residents commented: “Everything about this place is good. I don't have a bad word to say." Another remarked: "Food's excellent. We have a good chef. You can request anything. You have a menu every day so you can get what you like."

When asked by inspectors how they respect people's privacy, one member of staff said: "Exactly as if I was looking after my mum and dad. Try and let people have as much independence and choice as possible – be kind".

Home manager, Fiona Wiederkehr, said: “We strive to create a welcoming home from home at Darlington Court and I’m so pleased our efforts have been recognised by the CQC’s inspectors. 

“Everyone here works incredibly hard to support residents with compassionate, person-centred care, and to be rated ‘good’ shows just how committed the team is to making a positive difference to resident’s lives each and every day. 

“I’m extremely proud of everyone at the home and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the team for their hard work and dedication, which I know is also greatly appreciated by residents and their families.”