MORE care homes in Darlington are achieving a Grade A standard than in 2019, a new report has revealed.

However two homes which were given the lowest grade of C had not improved their rating, according to the report by Darlington Borough Council.

The council has an agreement with 19 care homes for older people in the borough.

Read more: Covid cases in Darlington among highest in North East

Of these, 15 were given an A grade – up from 13 in 2019/20.

Two were given a B and two a C rating, down from five in 2019/20.

The two C grade homes were given the same rating in 2019/20.

The report revealed the occupancy level across the homes dropped from 88 per cent at the outset of then pandemic to a low of 72 per cent in December 2020.

This has started to rise again since.

Occupancy levels across all 19 homes in 80 per cent, a five per cent decrease since the last report.

Outbreaks occurred in 17 of 20 care homes for older people in Darlington, including one which is not covered by the council’s agreement, between April 2020 and June 2021

Overall, all but one of the previous A graded homes have maintained this grade.

Five homes have improved on previous gradings

Of the 13 homes that were an A grade in 2019, 12 of the homes maintained their A Grades, and three homes improved their rating.

Two improved from a C to an A, and one from a B to an A.

One home that was an A Grade in 2019 has reduced their rating to a B Grade.

The report said: "The overall change in compliance from last year is encouraging in respect of the increase in homes achieving an A Grade and that 12 homes maintained their A Grade.

"However, it is disappointing to note that 2 previously ‘C’ graded homes have not improved their grading."

The council judges homes against 10 standards.

All homes met the standards for effective recruitment procedures, social and leisure outcomes, plan of care requirements, management of medication, safeguarding and whistleblowing, health and safety, monitoring and quality of service and clean and safe environment.

Four homes failed the standard for staff development requirements, with the common shortfall of not having enough staff with or working towards NVQ qualifications .

Two homes failed the nutrition standard.

The level of compliance against the quality standards will determine the fee levels for the current year.

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