The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: The Dorothy Lucy Centre

Northumberland Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 7TA 0300 041 8894

Provided and run by:
Kent County Council

All Inspections

16 July 2013

During a routine inspection

During our inspection we spoke with people who used the service, with the staff and management.

We found that people staying for respite care were generally content and felt comfortable living in the home. One person told us 'I come here regularly for short stays throughout the year and I would not want to go anywhere else'.

People told us that they were happy with the support they received, and that the staff looked after them well. People said they liked the food, there was a choice of menu and that they chose where to eat. People said they knew who to speak to should they have any concerns, but said they had no complaints.

We found that care staff were appropriately recruited, trained and supervised so that they could meet people's individual care needs. Care records seen showed that the people were supported with their care in a way that was individual and in accordance with their wishes. The care records reflected the health and personal care that people needed, and was appropriately checked and agreed with people or their next of kin.

We saw comments from relatives that included 'Thank you for looking after X, she had a lovely time', 'I was pleased with everything, thank you', and 'Thank you to all members of staff for looking after X'.

17 April 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

People told us they were well cared for and that staff were caring and kind. People said their needs were met and they received the care they expected to have.

Comments included;

'The staff are lovely, helpful people'always someone to lift you up when you are feeling down. They are remarkable people.'

'I feel totally safe here.'

'I don't want for anything.'

18 October 2011

During a routine inspection

People told us that they were given choices about their daily routines. They said that the staff respected the decisions that they made. Everyone we spoke with said that they had been involved in writing their care plan and had been asked about their needs when they moved in. People using the service told us that they were happy with the care they were receiving. One person said 'I have been very happy with the standards here' whilst another told us 'I am getting all the help I need and hopefully will be able to return home soon'.

People told us that the staff respected their privacy. They gave examples of where staff knocked before coming into their bedroom and where staff had made sure that their personal care was given in private. People said they felt safe in the home. They told us that they were treated well by the staff that cared for them. One person said 'the staff have been very kind' whilst another told us 'I would rather be at home, but they really do the best for me they can'. Everyone we spoke with knew who they could talk to if they were worried about the way they were treated or any area of their care. They told us that the staff and the manager were easy to talk to and took their views seriously.

People told us that they had some activities provided during the day, although most said that the majority of their day was spent in rehabilitation with the physiotherapist. They told us that this was important to them as it helped them to get back home quicker. People said that when they were not in rehabilitation sessions they could join in with quizzes, go for walks, watch TV, read a book, have a manicure or socialise with other people in the home. People said they enjoyed the food and that they were always given a choice of what they had to eat and drink. They said they could ask for hot and cold drinks whenever they wished and that staff were always happy to get them. One person said 'The food is good, we always have a choice of what we have'.

People told us that they were asked to fill out an evaluation form at the end of their stay. Everyone we spoke with told us that they had not had any problems with the quality of their care, but that they felt confident that any problems they raised would be sorted out quickly.