Darley Court provided intermediate care and treatment for patients who had been transferred from hospital for a short term period, which did not normally, not exceed 6 weeks. This was to enable patients to be discharged home or into social care. Patients were transferred with copies of all notes and documentation of the care delivered whilst in hospital.

We had received some information of concern in relation to the care and welfare provided at Darley Court. We had been informed that patients were left for long periods alone and that some patients were unable to use the call bells to alert staff when needed.

We observed during the time spent on the inspection that when patients were nursed in their rooms, call bells were left in easy reach. We saw one patient having medication through a nebuliser whilst resting on the bed; we saw staff checking this person at regular intervals. None of the patients we spoke with told us that there had been any issues with staff not responding in a timely manner. One person said: “Sometimes at night you might have to wait, if they are busy in someone’s room, but generally it’s not a problem”.

The manager explained that since the community services were transferred into the management of the acute trust, she felt that communication with the wards had improved. She said she felt well supported by the matrons within the trust and that the integration was good.