Palm Court Nursing Home is situated overlooking the sea at Dawlish. The accommodation is divided over three floors. The home is registered to provide nursing care, accommodation and personal care for up to 36 older people, including people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 31 people living at the home.

This inspection was undertaken on 10 and 11 April 2017 and the first day was unannounced. This was the home’s first inspection since the home changed ownership in April 2016.

The home had a registered manager in post. 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 people living at Palm Court had complex nursing needs or were living with advanced dementia. Not everyone we met and spoke with was able to share their experiences with us. Those who could told us they were cared for by very kind and caring staff. One person told us, “I’m very well cared for”, another said, "they’re lovely”. Relatives were complimentary about the staff and the way in which they met people's needs. One said, “They are absolutely amazing” and went on to say the staff were “very caring and friendly.” Another said the staff provided “compassionate care” and they had “a lovely way with people.” During the inspection we spent time observing the care provided in the home. We found staff worked well together and supported people in an unrushed, caring and compassionate manner. We saw staff instigated and encouraged conversation and spent time with people in the communal lounge and in their rooms.

People received effective care and support from well-trained staff who had been safely recruited. People and relatives told us the staff were knowledgeable about people’s care needs and were competent in their role. Regular training ensured staff had the skills and knowledge to care for people well and to be responsive to their changing needs. Staff had their performance monitored and reviewed through regular supervisions and an annual appraisal. There was a strong management structure within the home and all staff were aware of their responsibilities towards people’s wellbeing and safety. Suitable arrangements were in place for safeguarding people from abuse. Staff told us, and records showed, they had received training in safeguarding people. Staff told us what they would do if they suspected abuse and who they would report it to. They said poor practice would not be tolerated by the home and they were confident the registered manager would listen to any concerns they had.

People said they felt safe in the home. They were supported by sufficient numbers of staff on duty both during the day and overnight. Risks to people’s health, safety and well-being had been assessed and management plans were in place to help reduce the risks. The management plans gave staff clear guidance on how to support people to reduce these risks. People’s medicines were managed safely and people received these as prescribed.

Many of the people living at Palm Court did not have capacity to make choices about how they received care and support. In the Provider Information Return sent to use prior to the inspection, the registered manager said, “It is our philosophy that residents are supported to have as much freedom, choice and control over what they do as possible.” Each person’s care plan identified whether they could consent to their care. A document entitled, “Me and making decisions” described whether people had capacity to make decisions and when they might require support from others. We saw that when necessary best interest meetings had been held. Staff supported people to be as independent as possible. Care plans showed that people and their relatives had