The inspection visit at Haddon Court was undertaken on 16 and 18 November 2016 and was unannounced. Haddon Court provides care and support for a maximum of 33 people who live with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 33 people living at the home. Haddon Court is situated in a residential area of Blackpool close to the promenade. All bedrooms offer single room accommodation and there are communal lounges, dining areas and gardens for people’s use. Accommodation is provided over three floors with lift access for individuals with limited mobility.
A registered manager was in place. 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.
At the last inspection on 29 August 2015, we rated the service as Requires Improvement. We made recommendations for the provider to improve people’s safety and welfare. These related to recruitment documentation and employee background checks, varied meals and menu options, the provision of dementia-friendly mealtimes and medication recordkeeping.
During this inspection, we found the provider had completed the necessary improvements and people who lived at Haddon Court experienced a good service. For example, they implemented new recruitment procedures to protect people from unsuitable personnel. A staff member told us, “My recruitment was very good. It was very professional.”
Additionally, we saw the management team had improved their medication procedures. For instance, we reviewed a sample of medication charts and associated risk assessments and found staff completed them correctly. Enhanced audits checked processes to safeguard people from unsafe management of their medicines.
Furthermore, the provider had enhanced people’s experiences at mealtimes. For example, they encouraged people who were friends with others who lived at the home to sit together. The provider used an external agency to implement a ‘scent delivery system’ that produced pleasant food aromas to increase people’s appetite. Those who lived at the home and their relatives told us they enjoyed their meals and had a varied diet.
The new ‘scent delivery system’ also provided a relaxation scent in another part of the home to reduce people’s anxiety. This was an excellent way of enhancing people’s experiences of living at Haddon Court. Additionally, people and their relatives told us staff were kind and courteous in the provision of good standards of care. A relative said, “The staff and [the registered manager] treat people as their own, like their grandfather. I love that.”
The registered manager ensured staff had information about reporting concerns and had training to protect individuals from abuse or harm. They had suitable arrangements to reduce the risk of inappropriate or unsafe care. People told us they felt safe and comfortable whilst living at Haddon Court. A relative said, “We feel relieved because [our relative] is in a safe place.”
The provider utilised a staffing model to check enough staff were consistently available to meet people’s complex requirements. They additionally provided a range of training, including refresher guidance, to underpin staff understanding and experience. One person told us, “I find the carers here understand me. That’s a help in itself because I feel confident in their abilities.”
We discussed the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and associated Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) with staff who demonstrated a good awareness of related principles. Care files we looked at held evidence people or their representatives had signed their consent to care and support.
Staff agreed care planning with individuals who lived at the home and involved them in every aspect of their support at Haddon court. One person stated, “They talk with me frequently about my care, what I need and how they can support me.” Records we looked at were person-centred and customised to people’s preferences and requirements in relation to their support.
We observed the provider was caring towards people and their relatives and understood their needs. They confirmed Haddon Court had good leadership. One person said, “I would recommend the home to everyone. From the owners to the managers and staff, everyone cares and are interested in us as people.” Staff told us the management team supported them in their roles. The registered manager undertook a variety of audits to check quality assurance.