Background to this inspection
Updated
6 September 2022
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Melrose House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Melrose House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was announced.
We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us. The inspection activity started on 23 August 2022 and ended on 24 August 2022. We visited the service on 24 August 2022.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.
We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We communicated with people who used the service. Some people were unable to talk with us and used different ways to communicate including gestures and body language. We observed interactions between people using the service and staff throughout the inspection visit.
We spoke with two staff members, including the registered manager the relative of a person using the service and a social care professional. We reviewed two people's care records and medication records and two staff files in relation to recruitment, training, supervision and support. We also reviewed quality assurance audits, and the providers policies and procedures.
Updated
6 September 2022
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.
About the service
Melrose House is a small residential care home that can provide personal care for up to three people. At the time of the inspection two people were permanently living at the service and one person was using the short stay respite facility.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Right Support
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People received care and support in a safe, clean, well equipped, well-furnished and well-maintained home.
Staff supported people to make decisions following best practice in decision-making. People were supported to carry out their daily living activities and pursue their hobbies and interests.
Staff supported people to access health and social care services. Staff supported people with their medicines safely and in their preferred way.
Right Care
People received care that was person-centred, and dignity, privacy and human rights were promoted. Staff communicated with people in ways that met their individual needs.
People received kind and compassionate care. Staff understood and responded to people's individual needs. They protected and respected people's privacy and dignity.
Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it. The service employed skilled staff to meet people's needs and keep them safe.
People's care plans reflected their needs and wishes and promoted their wellbeing. Risks that people may face were appropriately managed, balancing people’s rights.
Right Culture
The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of the registered manager and staff team ensured people lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.
People received good quality care and support because trained staff and specialists could meet their needs and wishes.
People and those important to them, including social care professionals, were involved in planning their care. The registered manager and the staff team ensured people received support based on best practice, respect and inclusivity.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 20 March 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the provider's registration date.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.