Kahala Court is owned by the Devon Care Group and is registered to provide personal care for up to 32 people. On the day of inspection 30 people were living at the home. Fifteen people were living with some level of dementia which varied from mild to advanced. Kahala Court does not provide nursing care. People living at the home received nursing care and healthcare through the local community health services.
The inspection took place on 7 December 2015 and was unannounced. Kahala Court was last inspected in May 2013 when it was meeting the requirements that were looked at.
A registered manager was employed at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.
The registered manager was also the registered manager for another nearby service owned by the same registered provider. They were supported in their role by a regional manager who had responsibility for a small group of homes, and by a deputy manager and a team of senior carers. Staff told us they felt well supported by this staffing structure.
People’s needs were met in a safe and timely way as there were enough staff available. Staff received training that helped them meet people’s needs. For example, staff had received training in moving and transferring, infection control and caring for people living with dementia.
People and their relatives told us they felt safe. A visiting relative said “I feel really lucky, it is a fantastic feeling, to know that she’s in a safe place”. Staff had received training in how to recognise and report abuse. Thorough recruitment procedures ensured the risks of unsuitable staff being employed were minimised.
Staff displayed a good understanding of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the associated Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). This ensured people’s human rights were protected. People were asked for their consent before staff provided personal care. People’s needs were met by kind and caring staff who ensured people’s privacy and dignity was respected at all times. People said “It’s lovely here, the staff are very attentive...they are friends”, “I am happy here it is really nice” and “I feel very well cared for...I am very happy here”.
Staff ensured people received care and support that was responsive to their needs. One person told us “if there is anything I have wanted, they do it. They know what to do to look after me and they are fantastic”. Another said “All the staff are kind. I suppose because they know me as a person”. People and their relatives were involved in making decisions about their care if they chose. One relative said “We filled in a care plan together”. People’s care plans contained details of how their needs were to be met and were reviewed regularly. All other records were also well maintained and stored securely.
People were supported to maintain good health. A healthy balanced diet was available and people saw their GP when needed. There were effective systems in place to manage people's medicines.
People were encouraged to make requests and suggestions about improving the quality of the service provided. For example, people had requested a clock for the sun lounge. A clock had been provided that also showed the day and date.
An activities organiser was employed for 15 hours per week. There was a regular programme of activities on offer including singing, word games, films and gentle exercises.
The registered manager was very open and approachable. Staff told us they felt well supported by the registered manager. The registered manager was keen to improve the service and one visiting healthcare professional told us “they are not adverse to improvement and have their ears open and looking to how they can improve”. Relatives and people living at Kahala Court were confident that if they raised concerns they would be dealt with efficiently. Visitors were welcome at any time and people told us they were always made welcome.
There were effective quality assurance systems in place to monitor care. For example, there were regular audits of the environment, medicines and care plans.
The environment was well maintained and was suitable for people living with dementia. All areas were clean and free from offensive odours.