Nightingale Court Care Home

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

Caring – this means we looked for evidence that the provider involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.

At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good. This meant people were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider always treated people with kindness, empathy and compassion and respected their privacy and dignity. Staff treated colleagues from other organisations with kindness and respect.

Leaders actively promoted dignity and kindness by being visible and approachable throughout the home, listening to feedback from people, relatives and staff. This reinforced a culture of openness, care and compassion.

We observed positive and caring interactions between staff and people. People’s privacy and dignity were consistently respected. Staff supported people to take pride in their appearance, and we saw staff knocking on people’s doors before entering.

Relatives told us staff’s care extended beyond people to themselves. One relative told us they frequently came into the home to have lunch and play games and went on to say they would like to move into Nightingale Court when the time came.

People and relatives gave positive feedback about the kindness of staff. Comments included, “All the staff treat my relative with dignity, kindness and I believe they genuinely care for everyone.”, “They [staff] are so patient with everyone and have so much respect for everyone, very caring people.” And “My relative has a carer who tells me that it is a privilege for him to look after my relative and they have struck up an amazing relationship where they have high 5’s and it’s lovely to watch them interact.”

The provider treated people as individuals and made sure people’s care, support and treatment met people’s needs and preferences. They took account of people’s strengths, abilities, aspirations, culture and unique backgrounds and protected characteristics.

The service demonstrated commitment to valuing people as individuals and supporting them to achieve outcomes that improved their lives. For example, 1 person was supported to move into their own home while maintaining flexible links with the service when needed. Two people admitted on an end-of-life pathway received personalised care that improved their wellbeing resulting in them no longer being considered to be approaching the end of life. Another person admitted following self-neglect was supported through consistent, respectful relationship-based care to rebuild confidence and self-esteem, which empowered them to take pride in their appearance and enjoy regular visits to the hairdressers. One person who had been unable to manage their finances due to their support needs was supported to regain independence to manage their own money, they enjoyed spending this on the things that mattered to them.

The provider arranged a variety of activities for people to take part in. People and relatives were positive about this. For example, 1 relative told us, “It is lovely to see the activities that take place here especially when children, babies or dogs come in and the residents all look so happy to see them. There’s always a singalong on a Sunday and you can see the residents all responding.” The provider supported people with their interests. For example, one person’s lifelong interest in vehicles was recognised through personalised outings and events, enhancing their enjoyment and sense of identity. Shared interests were also promoted, including a gardening project designed to improve accessibility and enable people to grow their own vegetables.

The promotion of equality and diversity was embedded in the service. There was a regular church service in the home and with different religions also supported. One person told us, “We are [religion] and the staff are supportive of this.” The registered manager also told us how they thoughtfully ensured 1 person who did not celebrate Christmas was also included whilst respecting their religious beliefs. Diversity in backgrounds and cultures were recognised, and celebration of different cultures took place. One relative told us, “There was an African day recently where the carers wore their traditional dress which was lovely and so colourful for the residents.”

The provider promoted people’s independence, so people knew their rights and had choice and control over their own care, treatment and wellbeing.

People and their relatives were treated as partners in their care to enable choice and control. Relatives told us, “My relative recently had [health issue] but would not go to hospital. The care home staff were brilliant with them and they nursed them back to good health in an environment that my relative obviously felt comfortable and cared for.” and “My relative will not sleep in the bed but chooses to sleep in a chair, so, the home has got them a comfortable chair which gives them room to curl up and get comfortable.”

Prior to our inspection, we received concerns that people who stayed in their rooms were isolated. Staff told us and records confirmed staff carried out frequent checks on these people. Although 1 person told us they would like more engagement, records showed staff, including an activity coordinator spent time with people and carried out activities of their choice. For example, singing for 1 person.

The provider listened to and understood people’s needs, views and wishes. Staff responded to people’s needs in the moment and acted to minimise any discomfort, concern or distress.

Overall, we observed staff respond to people appropriately and in a timely way when they required support. Records showed call bells and motion sensors were responded to quickly.

Relatives told us staff supported people to avoid distress. For example, 1 relative said, “The carers have all recognised that my relative loves a cup of tea and if anything is upsetting them then a cup of tea will calm them down very quickly.”

The provider cared about and promoted the wellbeing of their staff and supported and enabled staff to deliver person-centred care.

All staff we spoke with consistently told us they enjoyed working at Nightingale Court. For example, 1 staff member said, “It’s a really happy home and I enjoy coming to work.” Staff were highly complementary about the registered manager and nominated individual and felt well supported and valued for the work they did.

The provider demonstrated a strong commitment to staff wellbeing and morale. Employee initiatives and staff reward schemes were in place, alongside flexible working arrangements where appropriate.